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The Cartridge Box, in Colors, was the badge of the Fifteenth Army Corps. Each Division 
had its respective color : The First Division being White, the Second Division Red, the Third 
Division Blue, and the Fourth Division Yellow. As to its origin see pages 124-5. This incident 
coming to the notice of General Logan, he said : "We will adopt the cartridge box as the 
badge of our Corps." From that time on, the badge was worn conspicuously by officers 
and men. 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT 

OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 

DURING THE 

WAR OF THE REBELLION 

1861 TO 1865. 

TOGETHER WITH MORE THAN THIRTY PERvSONAL 
SKETCHES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 



BY JOHN K. DUKE, 



I ' 



COiMPANY F, FIFTY-THIRD O. V. V. I. 



THE BLADE ITilNTING COMPANY. 

F'l'lH.I.'iHliK.S. 
roRTSMOl'TH, OHUi, I'.MHI. 



L. 



37973 



IUibrfciry of Con^ire** 
"• WO C0P«tS RtCttvEO I 

AUG 23 1900 

CofyrilM •ntry 

SECOND COPY. 

0«-.*Wered to 

OROtR DWISION, 

AUG 27 1900 



Copyright 

JOHN K. DUKE. 

1900. 



68730 






To the Memory of Those 

of 
Our Fallen Comrades, who Surrendered 
their Lives in the War of the Rebellion ; 
Whether upon the Battle-field, in Hos- 
pitals or Prisons ; Whether in Unknown 
or Marked Resting-places in the South- 
land, or Filling Untimely Graves at Home, 

This Volume is 
Most Affectionately Dedicated 

by the Author. 



PROLOGUE. 



Several attempts have been made since the war to write a 
correct history of the 53rd Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. 

The lamented Captain James R. Perc}-, of Co. F, who was 
killed in front of Atlanta, August 18th, 18G4, kept a careful daily 
account, expecting should the god of battles spare him to return 
to Ohio, to write the history. He was eminently qualified and 
equipped for the work, and would doubtless, have given us a liter- 
ary gem. 

Next to follow was Judge R. H. Brewster, Co. C, of Pome- 
roy, Ohio, who was ably assisted by Major E. C. Dawes. Judge 
Brewster, by his large-heartedness in caring for those who were 
sick with smallpox, contracted the dread disease and died. 

Major Dawes was then appointed historian, and responded 
soon thereafter to the roll-call of the Divine Master. 

Followmg the death of the Major, the work was assigned to 
the writer, who will, to the best of his ability, trace the history of 
the regiment from its organization to the date of its final dis- 
charge. 

The aim of the writer, the object of the history, is to recount 
the services, the sacrifices, and the hardships endured b}^ this par- 
ticular Ohio regiment. It has been the desire of the writer to 
give a full, concise, and impartial history, showing no favoritism, 
but actuated b)- tlie sentiment of Mr. Lincoln, " with charity for 
all, and malice toward none." 



In the history of Ohio regiments the record of none is more 
glorions than that of the o;5rd Ohio Vohmteer Infantry, and certain- 
ly none performed more arduons dnties, as I trnst these pages will 
well anthenticate to those who may pernse them. The object is to 
l)reserve onr identity as a regiment and its history. It will be the 
aim to have the book go to every snr\iving ex-soldier of the regi- 
ment ; and to every one who lost i dear one in the war b)- or 
throngli this regiment. 

]\Inch of history and a considerable amount of personal 
reminiscence have been published during the past thirty-five years ; 
but to a laree extent it has consisted of accounts of battles or 
campaigns, and to more than a limited extent the design has been 
to recount the exploits of some particular army or general. It is 
the design herein to give the roster by companies and the roll of 
the reeinient in such manner as to make full and honorable men- 
tion of all commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and of the 
rank and file who made it possible for their superior officers to 
bear the honorable part they did in the great struggle. 

Our friends and the world in general, ought to know who the 
men were who stood as a wall of fire to prevent hostile armies 
from invadintr our Northern firesides. War historv and incidents 
are intended to inform all who the men were that marched to the 
cannon's mouth ; received and withstood the shock of battle ; who 
the men were "who touched elbows" in the deadly fray and 
closed ranks as one by one their comrades fell out ; who it was 
that held aloft the starry banner and carried it to final victory ; 
who, looking death in the face, charged the enemy ; who sacri- 
ficed life, limbs, and early education, and lay in the improvised 
hospitals, or worse still, starved in the hell-holes of Soutliern 
prisons. 

It is such details that I propose to relate in part for the pres- 
ent and future generations. J. K. D. 
Portsmouth, Ohio, I'.ioo. 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter 


I. 


Chapter 


II. 


Chapter 


III. 


Chapter 


IV. 


Chapter 


V. 


Chapter 


VI. 


Chapter 


VII. 


Chapter 


VIII. 


Chapter 


IX. 


Chapter 


X. 


Chapter 


XI. 


Chapter 


XII. 


Chapter 


XIII. 


Chapter 


XIV. 


Chapter 


XV. 


Chapter 


XVI. 


Chapter 


XVII. 


Chapter 


XVIII. 



PART ONE. 

Page. 

Organization 1 

Leaving Ohio for the Front 5 

Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing 10 

Shiloh— Fulton's Report 26 

Shiloh — Sherman's Report 30 

Shiloh — Dawes' First Day 39 

Shiloh — Basil Duke's Paper 56 

From Corinth to Memphis 89 

From Memphis to Vicksburg 98 

From Vicksburg to Jackson .'. 10.5 

Chattanooga and Knoxville 114 

Rest and Recuperation 127 

The Atlanta Campaign Begun 131 

The Atlanta Campaign HI 

Atlanta to the Sea 159 

F'rom Savannah to Goldsboro 174 

From Goldsboro to the Muster-out 188 

The Cost of the Civil War 206 

PART TWO. 



PERSONAIv SKETCHES. 



Page. 

John K. Duke 240 

General Wells S. Jones 244 

Major E. C.Dawes 249 

Captain James R. Percy 254 

Major James C. Foster 259 

William Bradbury 261 

Captain Robert A. Starkey 263 

Captain Jacob W. Davis 266 

Colonel P. R.Galloway 268 

Joseph W. Fulton, Quarter-Master 271 

Captain David H. Lasley 273 

Captain Eustace H. Ball 275 

Captain David M. Burchfield 277 

Captain Charles K. Crumit 278 

Colonel George N. Gray 280 

Lieutenant James D. Roberts 283 

Wesley Benson 285 



Page. 

Robert H.Brewster 285 

Lieutenant Calvin D. Brooks 286 

Captain George W. Cavitt 287 

William Ellison 287 

Reverend Frederick J. Griilith 288 

J. W. Fulton, Jr 289 

Captain David S. Harkins 289 

David Lasley T 290 

Lieutenant Stafford McMillin 291 

Frank Smith 292 

Lieutenant B. G. Morrison 292 

Lieutenant William B. Stephenson 293 

Lieutenant William Shay 294 

W. A. Steele 294 

Captain J. I. Parrill 295 

The Buried at Marietta, Ga., and Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn 296 



PART FIRST. 



HISTORY 

OF 

THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT, 

O. V. I. 



O.SRD OHIO VOI.UNTlvKR INKANTRV. 



chai'Ti<:r I. 



ORGANIZATION. 

The order of (iovcrnor Dcnnisoii, of Oliio, for the org-aniza- 
tion of the .i.'hd Ohio Rci^inient v-'as dated September Gth, 1.S61. 
He intended said regiment to be recruited from tlie southern 
counties of Ohio. Jackson, Ohio, was designated as tlie place of 
rendezvous. 

Up to this period fifty or more regimental organizations from 
Ohio had responded to the call of the President of the United 
States, and the Governor of the State. 

Another Ohio regiment was in course of formation at Camp 
Dennison, Ohio, and was known as the o2nd Ohio, or the " Gov- 
ernor's Guard." Six full companies had l)ecn recruited and were 
in camp. 

Patriotism in the fall of '(il had not received an impetus suf- 
ficient to perfect both of these organizations at the same time ; 
hence, the 53rd lacking but one company, the Governor merged the 
six companies of the 52nd into the different regiments forming in 
the State. Two companies were assigned to the 70th Ohio, one 
to the 48th Ohio, one to the 71st Ohio, one to the 5:>rd Ohio, and 
the remaining company of the 52nd (Captain Morrison's) was as- 
signed to some other regiment unknown to the w-riter. 

Captain Preston R. Cxalloway was in command of the com- 
pany assigned to the 53rd, and it was known throughout the life of 
regiment as Company K. 

Jesse J. Appier, a business gentleman and honorable citizen 
of the city of Portsmouth, Ohio, was coiumissioned Colonel by 
Governor Dennison. Colonel Appier had served with credit du- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



ring the three months service as the commander of a company in 
the 22nd Ohio Infantry; he had also been identified with the Ohio 
Militia. His experience and qualifications enabled him to draw a 
large number of recruits to the regiment. The following field 
officers were commissioned by Governor Dennison on the same 
date as Colonel Appier, viz.: Robert A. Fulton, a leading citizen 
of Athens county, as Lieutenant-Colonel ; Harrison S. Cox, of 
Maysville, Ky., who had also served as an enlisted man in the 
three months service, as Major ; Dr. Joseph W. Fulton, who did 
perhaps more toward the organization of the regiment than his 
brother, the Lieutenant-Colonel, contributing both time and money, 
as Quartermaster, with the rank of First Lieutenant. On the 26th 
of September Ephraim C. Dawes, of INIarietta, Ohio, who had but 
recently graduated from Marietta College, was appointed Adjutant. 
On the 3rd of October, 1861, Dr. William- M. Cake, of Fostoria, 
Ohio, was commissioned Surgeon, and Dr. James P. Bing, of 
Pomeroy, Ohio, but recently deceased, was commissioned as x\s- 
sistant Surgeon. On the 18th day of October, 18G1, Thomas K. 
Mclntyre, who held a Second Lieutenant's recruiting commission, 
was appointed Chaplain. This completed the field officers ; all 
that was needed was ten organized companies to complete the 
regiment. There was a circumstance connected with the early 
history of this regiment, which very many of us have probably 
forgotten. In those days there was an impression that the gov- 
ernment allowed a good deal of suffrage in the organization of its 
army ; that men could not only elect their officers, but that there 
was a choice in the arm of the service. In pursuance of this idea 
Colonel Appier concluded that the 53rd should be a mounted regi- 
ment. Whether Governor Dennison was a party to this or not, 
we have no means of knowing at this late day. At any rate, large 
posters were printed, and all patriotic citizens were exhorted, in 
these posters, to enlist in the " 53rd Ohio Mounted Riflemen." 

About one mile north of the town of Jackson stood the old 
Diamond Furnace, where once pig iron had been manufactured. 



.5'^RD OHIO VOLUNTKER INFANTRY. 3 



and this spot was selected as a camp for the expected regiment. A 
brick bnildino, formerly the store and 'varehonse of the Furnace 
Company, answered for the Colonel's headquarters, and the ware- 
room became the store room for the Quartermaster's supplies. 
Smaller buildings, formerly occupied by employes of the furnace, 
made excellent company quarters. 

On the 17th of September, l.SGl, the first body of recruits 
arrived in cam]). They had been recruited principally in Athens 
Countv, Ohio, by Captain John I. Parrill, but before Captain Par- 
rill obtained a sufificient number of men to complete his company 
organization, Captain Wells S. Jones of Pike County, Ohio, 
arrived with a full company, which being the first company 
organized became Company A., and gave it the honorable position 
of being on the right or at the head of the regiment. Captain 
Parrill's company, being the second to complete its organization, 
became Company B, and was entitled to the left of the regi- 
ment. 

Each of the ten companies mustered numbered 100 or more 
men, the full roll-call of the regiment aggregating about 1,100. 
The companies were oflficered and had been recruited as follows: 

Co. A — Captain, Wells S. Jones. 

P'irst Lieutenant, Robert A. Starkey. 
Second Lieutenant, Robert Kearns. 

Recruited principally from Pike County, Ohio. 

Co. B — Captain, John I. Parrill. 

P^irst Lieutenant, Joseph W. Fulton. 
Second Lieutenant, Spencer McLead. 

Recruited principally from Athens County, Ohio. 

Co. C— Captain, Frederick J. GriflFlth. 

First Lieutenant, Jacob W. Davis. 
Second Lieutenant, Kendall D. Lindsey. 

Recruited principally from Scioto and Lawrence 
Counties, Ohio. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



C6. D — Captain, Henry C. Messenger. 

First Lieutenant, Calvin D. Brooks. 

Second Xientenant, Francis B. Gilbert. 

Recrnited principally from Jackson and Lawrence 

Counties, Ohio. 
Co. E — Captain, Samuel W. Baird. 

First Lieutenant, Eustace H. Ball. 

Second Lieutenant, Robert E. Phillips. 

Recruited principally from Scioto, Lawrence, and 

Athens Counties, Ohio. 

Co. F — Captain, James R. Percy. 

First Lieutenant, Charles K. Crumit. 
Second Lieutenant, George W. Cavet. 

Recruited principally from Pike, Ross, and Jackson 
Counties, Ohio. 

Co. G — Captain, Lorenzo Fulton.' 

First Lieutenant, George K. Hosford. 
Second Lieutenant, George E. Cutler. 

Recruited principally from Athens, Northern 
Meigs, and Washington Counties, Ohio. 

Co. H — Captain, David H. Lasley. 

First Lieutenant, Harvey L. Black. 
Second Lieutenant, Jonathan S. Lasley. 

Recruited principally from Meigs and Gallia 
Counties, Ohio. 

Co. I — Captain, David K. Harkins. 

First Lieutenant, Stiles B. Messenger. 
Second Lieutenant, George N. Gra\ 

Co. K — Captain, Preston R. Galloway. 

First Lieutenant, Stafford McMillen. 
Second Lieutenant, William Shay. 

Recruited principally from Hamilton and Preble 
Counties, Ohio. 



;j3rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



CHAPTER II. 



LEAVING OHIO FOR THE FRONT. 

From and after the time that the full quota of men had been 
mustered, as indicated in the preceding^ chapter, company and 
regimental drill was pushed vigorously from day to day, thus in- 
uring the men to fatigue, discipline, and obedience. This dis- 
cipline was' continued until orders were received, sending us to 
the front. 

Near the close of the year 18G1 the measles made their ap- 
pearance and played havoc with the boys. The ravages of this 
disease, so frequent among recruits, were largely attributable to 
the use of straw for beds, as the decaying straw generated the 
bacteria. Dr. J. P. Ring, the Assistant Surgeon, rendered all the 
medical assistance possible, and was seconded by the good ladies of 
Jackson, whose efforts to alleviate suffering were exceedingly 
praiseworthy. Two deaths resulted from this attack of measles — 
Austin Crowell of Co. I, on Feb. 17, 1862, and David Aumiller of 
Co. F. Both were buried at the Jackson, Ohio, Cemetery. They 
were quiet, modest young men, who always did their duty in 
camp, and no doubt would have made for themselves a creditable 
record in the field. 

Two or three Methodist ministers, serving as officers, and one 
as chaplain, had by the assistance of the noble-hearted officers, ex- 
erted a moral and spiritual influence, and the conduct of the rank 
and file was far above the average. Card playing and drinking 
weie prohibited, and the boys were satisfied that it was so. Prayer 
meetings or religious services of some kind were held in most of 
the regimental quarters at night. Captain Galloway, on being in- 
troduced through the regiment to the various officers, by Adjut- 



6 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



ant Dawes, remarked that the spirituality and Christianity of this 
regiment, certainly could .not be surpassed. 

Orders for the field were received the IGth day of February, 
1.SG2. The regiment moved immediately, leaving the sick at 
Jackson in charge of the Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Bing. The part- 
ing at Jackson from friends and relatives was extremely pathetic. 
To many a poor soul it was not only an affectionate farewell, but 
a tearful adieu for this life. The regiment proceeded by rail to 
the city of Portsmouth, Ohio, February IGth, and on the follow- 
ing day, the 17th, embarked on transports for Paducah, Kentucky, 
with orders to report to General Halleck. 

We reached Paducah, February 23rd. The evening was cold, 
and we marched through the mud and camped in almost a swamp; 
no fires and no way to provide any. Additional colds were con- 
tracted and much sickness followed. Our night here was our first 
experience of hardship, but ere we had served our country four 
years, how we laughed at our behaviour and grumblings about 
our first night's experience. 

When the 53rd reached Paducah on the 23rd of February, 
18G2, an officer was sent to report its arrival to General Sherman. 
The General asked, "How long do you expect to remain in the 
service?" Not knowing exactly what answer to make, the officer 
replied : "The regiment has enlisted for three years and expects 
to serve its time." "Well," responded the General, "you have got 
sense. Most of you fellows come down here intending to go home 
and go to Congress in about three weeks." 

When asked where to camp, he said, "Go anywhere, it's all 
flat as a pancake and wet as a sponge." And it was. 

We were assigned to the Third Brigade of Sherman's Divis- 
ion, March 7th, 1(SG2. We received our arms, Austrian rifles. 
The rifles were not the best, but a make-shift until the arsenals 
could turn out a supply sufficient to replace the better ones stolen 
by President Buchanan's Secretary of War, just prior to the in- 
auguration of Mr. Lincoln as President. 



">;>RD OHIO voi.untp:kr infantry, 



Upon the day of the distributing of anus, we were loaded up- 
on the steamer "Anglo-Saxon," and proceeded down the Tennes- 
see River. Owing to the spring rains, the Tennessee was on a 
"high lonesome," and at several places more than bank full. On 
account of the muddy condition of the river, the "boys" called it 
"soup ;" and from its use for several days, diarrhoea followed to an 
alarming extent. The "boys" diagnosed the disease as the "Ten- 
nessee quickstep." Almost all of them suffered more or less, some 
severelv, from that disease. This reduced the strength of the 
regiment by at least twenty-five per cent. The debilitated condit- 
ion of the patients made them susceptible to a grave type of 
typho-malarial fever, which was fatal in many cases. From March 
2Uth to April 1st, 1862, the sick roll of the regiment aggre- 
gated 255. We made but few halts upon the trip ; Fort Henry 
and Savannah being, perhaps, the most notable. We were aboard 
the transport about twelve days. 

The assembling of troops was for the purpose of forming a 
part of General Grant's celebrated expedition for the recovery of 
West Tennessee. 

At Yellow Creek, a portion of the regiment, such as were 
able for duty, disembarked, and made a reconnoissance in the 
direction of Corinth, Mississippi. The roads being impassable, 
the detour was abandoned, the fragment returned to the boat, and 
proceeded to Pittsburg Landing, disembarking about March 19th. 

On March 20th the regiment went into camp, on what was 
called the McCulloch farm, afterwards made famous by battle, and 
marked upon the battle maps as the Rea farm. 

Our camp lay about a quarter of a mile due south of Shiloh 
Church, and about three miles from the Tennessee River. Near 
our camp was a gushing spring, and we were congratulating our- 
selves upon our good fortune, when to our mortification and the 
aee'ravation of the existing diarrhoea, it was found to contain that 
which was prejudicial to health. Within a very few days two- 



8 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

thirds of the regiment were reported unfit for duly. It was diffi- 
cult to muster enough well men for squad drill or guard duty. 

About the third of April, indications of the advance of the 
enemy, at the time known to be in great force at Corinth, began 
to be discovered. The fact became more apparent from day to 
day, till on the evening of the 0th the enemy was seen in consid- . 
erable force by the 71st Ohio, which the 5.'>rd passed coming into 
camp, as they, the o.'ird, were going out on the Corinth road, for 
a reconnoissance. 

We proceeded but a short distance, when the enemy in force 
was discovered across an open field. We returned to camp, re- 
ported and attended dress parade, the last one for some time. 

Notwithstanding the above reports and indications no pre- 
paration was made for a ba'ttle ; none of the sick were removed to 
the rear ; teams and army supplies were not ordered back ;• in 
fact, the necessar)- preparations for a conflict were totally ignored. 

Thus far the reader has been brought by gradual approaches 
to the eve of one of the bloodiest conflicts, if not the bloodiest, re- 
corded during any of the subsequent four years of the war. Be- 
fore entering upon the details and the description of the two days' 
battle of Shiloh, which followed, it is perhaps necessary or im- 
portant to say a few words by way of explanation ; not bv wav of 
apology, so far as the regiment is concerned ; but in order that 
the general reader may better understand why so much space is 
allotted to this one engagement. It will be made apparent, as the 
narrative proceeds, that a certain amount of odinm was souglit to 
be cast upon the 5;ird Ohio Regiment. Unfortunately, it oc- 
cupied the front line, received the first onslaught, and its dead 
were the first to drench the field with blood. This will explain 
why the narrator quotes so many different official reports and partial 
accounts of the battle of Shiloh. The reader is invited to read 
carefully the history of this battle as an entirety prior to passing 
judgment. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 



9 



Especially attention is asked for Major Dawes' "My P'irst Day 
Under Fire;" to what General Jones says ofTiciallN- and otherwise, 
and to the reports of Lientenant-Colonel Fnlton, and others. Last 
bnt not least, we would ask a careful reading- of the statement of 
(ieneral Basil Duke, of the Confederate Arnu', as to the engage- 
ment. General Duke was one of the daring and able generals on 
the opposite side. He cheerfully and willingl\' ga\e his consent 
to the publication of this admirable war contribution. 

It is only another evidence, if it were needed, to convince the 
reader that sectional lines and the bitterness of the war is obliter- 
ated, and that we are thirty-five years removed from the period 
when the contention was that two flags, and noi one, should wave 
over the United States. 

The General is a chivalrous southern gentleman, and not re- 
lated to the historian, except by the blood of American citizenship 
in its broadest and most lo)al sense. 



11 





10 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER III. 



SHILOH, OR PITTSBURG LANDING. 

General Halleck's expedition to this section of Tennessee was 
to shut off the enemy's communication between the Eastern and 
Southern States through Western Tennessee. 

By reference to a map the reader will readily perceive that 
Pittsburg Landing is about ten miles north of the Alabama line. 
Two creeks skirt the western side of the Alabama line — Lick 
Creek and Snake Creek — some four or five miles apart. The old 
log Shiloh Church was three miles from the landing. 

General Albert Sidney Johnston was in command of the Con- 
federate forces. General Johnston's knowledge of the military 
situation and the importance of maintaining and keeping open the 
line of communication referred to, emboldened him to concentrate 
his army, and, if possible, to strike a blow at General Halleck 
before he had an opportunity to concentrate his forces, erect suit- 
able fortifications, and gain such a foothold that a long and per- 
haps bloody conflict would be necessary before the Union forces 
could be dislodged, if at all. 

The Union gunboats had already proceeded up the Tennessee 
River as far as Florence, Alabama. The Tennessee River was to be 
used by the Union forces as the route to the heart of the so-called 
" Southern Confederacy." 

Fort Donelson had at this' time surrendered to General Grant. 
Generals Johnston and Beauregard were quick to perceive that 
Pittsburg Landing would most probably be the point for the con- 
centration of the Union forces. They well knew that, with Pitts- 
burg Landing in our possession, it was but twenty miles to Corinth, 



03rD OHIO VOLUNTKER INFANTRY. 11 



where two leading and important railroad lines wonld be inter- 
cepted. From Corinth, by easy approach, the captnre of Memphis 
would follow, and with that city, and the other points indicated, in 
our possession, they would be compelled to abandon the Mississippi 
River from Memphis to Cairo. , 

General Johnston transported his troops from Mnrfeesboro, 
General Bragg from Mobile, and General Beauregard from Rich- 
mond. General Johnston concentrated his army along the Mobile 
^ Ohio Railroad, extending from Bethel to Corinth ; also, along 
the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, from Corinth to luka. 

General Johnston's army was commanded as follows: by 
Major-General Leonidas K. Polk, commanding 9,130 men ; Gen- 
eral Bragg, 18,5<S«; General VV. J. Hardee. 7,(589; General J. C. 
Breckenridge, (j,439 ; which, with the additional forces of' artillery 
and cavalry, aggregated 40,o35. These figures are derived from 
Confederate reports. Some of the leading and ablest generals on 
our side say that the Confederate army had at the time of action, 
April (jth and 7th, at least fifty to fifty-five thousand men. 

Our forces were commanded as follows : 

First Division, by General John A. McClernand. 
Second Division, by General W. H. L. Wallace. 
Third Division, by General Lewis Wallace. 
Fourth Division, by General Hurlburt. 
Fifth Division, by General W. T. Sherman. 
Sixth Division, by General Prentiss. 

To this may be added seven or eight regiments of cavalry, 
and some twenty to twenty-two batteries of artillery. The Union 
forces numbered the first dav about thirtv-three thousand men ; 
and were augumented by the reinforcements of General Buell's 
army and the division of General Lewis Wallace, making a grand 
total of about sixty thou.sand men. The reinforcements did not 
participate in the first da\'s battle. 



12 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

The 53rd was assigned to the Fifth Division, commanded by 
General Sherman. This division was landed March 19th. Upon 
the 20th they marched ont along the line of railroad leading to 
Charleston and bnrned a bridge over Snake Creek, and then re- 
tnrned and made their camp near Shiloh Chnrch. 

Mnch has been said and written is to whether the attack of 
April Gth was a snrprise. Notwithstanding the fact that some of 
onr commanders were West Point gracTnates and some Regnlar 
Army officers, no official report which has fallen nnder my ob- 
servation has claimed that cavalry pickets were on the outposts. 
From the best information obtainable, it is but fair to presume 
that the infantry pickets were not to exceed one mile beyond the 
camps, and no fortifications of any description had been at- 
tempted. 

As evidence of the fact that this was a surprise a few quota- 
tions may perhaps be necessary. Bear in mind the battle opened 
Sunday morning, April Gth, and continued until Monday night, 
April 7th. 

On Friday, April 4th, General Buell writes in a letter ad- 
dressed to General Grant : "You sent a dispatch to General 
Nelson, who commanded the advance of my command, telling him 
not to hasten his march, as he could not, at any rate, commence 
crossing the river until the following Tuesday." 

The following is from the diary of General Jacob Ammen, who 
commanded the advance brigade of General Nelson's division of 
BuelTs army. It shows that General Grant did not expect an at- 
tack as late as o o'clock Saturday afternoon: 

"April 5th, 1862 : — Marched nine and a half miles over bad 
roads, and reached Savannah, Tenn., before 12 o'clock at noon. 
General Grant was not at his headcpiarters and no one to give or- 
ders. General Nelson ordered me to go into camp. The 10th 
Brigade encamped on the southwest side of the town about one- 
half to three-quarters of a mile from the brick house on the river 



o3Rn OHIO \()I.rNTKKR INFANTRY. 1.'] 

(headquarters). About •] o'clock in tlic afternoon (icncral (irant 
and (reneral Nelson came to my tent. (General (irant declined to 
dismount, as he had an enii;-ao;ement. In answer to ni\ remark 
that our troo])s were not fatijjued and could march on to Pittsburg 
Landing, if necessary, (len. (rrant said : 'Vou cannot march 
through the swamp. Make the troops comfortable. I will send 
boats for you Monday or Tuesday, or some time early in the week. 
There will be no fight at Pittsburg Landing. We will have to go 
to Corinth, where the rebels are fortified. If they come to attack 
us we can whip them, as I have more than twice as many troops 
as I had at P'ort Donelson^ Be sure and call at the brick house 
on the river to-morrow evening (Sunday) as I have an engagement 
for this evening.' " 

On the same day General Grant wrote to General Buell : 

^''Headquarters District West Tennessee^ 
''April ht/i, 18)i2. 

''Maj. Gen. Buell, Waynesboro : Your dispatch just received. 
I will be here to meet you to-morrow evening. At and near 
Corinth are probably from 60,000 to 80,000 men. Information is 
not reliable. (Signed) U. S. Grant, Maj. Gen." 

The following notes of Gen. Sherman to Gen. Grant show 
what the former thought of the situation at Pittsburg Landing on 
Saturday, the oth of April : 

''Pittsburg Landings Tennessee^ 
"April r-yth, 18()2. 

"Gen. Grant: Sir: — All is quiet along my lines. We are in 
the act of exchanging cavalry according to your order. The ene- 
my has cavalry in our front, and T thing there are two regiments 
of infantry and one battalion of artillery about two miles out. I 
will send vou ten prisoners of war and an account of last night's 
affair in a few minutes. Yours, W. T. Shkrman, 

Brigadier General Commanding." 



14 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



"•Pittsburg Landings Tenn.^ April oth^ l^iYl. 
"General Grant : — Your note is just received. I have no doubt f 
that nothing will occur to-day more than some picket firing. The 
enemy is saucy, but got the worst of it yesterday, and will not \ 
press our pickets far. I will not be drawn out far unless we are 
certain of an advantage, and I do not apprehend anything like an 
attack on our position. Yours, W. T. Sherman, 

Brigadier General Commanding." 

On the 4th of April (Friday) Major Richer, of the 5th Ohio 
Cavalry, made a reconnoissance to a point two miles in front of 
the pickets, and reported to General Sherman : 

"When passing the brow of a hill, our advance was opened on 
by three or four pieces of artillery, at least two regiments of in- 
fantry, and a large force of cavalry." 

Concerning this reconnoissance. Major Richer wrote further : 

"When we got back to the picket lines we found General Sher- 
man 'there with infantry and artillery in line of battle, caused by | 
heavy firing of the enemy on us. General Sherman asked me 
what was up. I told him I had met and fought the advance of 
Beauregard's army ; that he was advancing on us. General Sher- 
man said, it could not be possible, Beauregard was not such a fool 
as to leave his base of operations and attack ours ; it was a mere re- 
connoissance in force." 

The next morning General Sherman thus reported to General 
Grant the conclusions he drew from the report of Major Richer : 

^'■Headquarters bth Division^ 
''Camp Shi/oh, Tcnn., April hth, 18()2. 
"gi^ . — I infer that the enemy is in some considerable force at 
Pea Ridge (nine miles distant;) that yesterday morning they 
crossed a bridge with two regiments of infantry, one regiment of 
cavalry, and one battalion of field artillery, to the ridge on which 
the Corinth road lays. They halted the infantry and artillery at 



5.3rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 15 

a point about five miles in my front, and sent a detachment to tlie 
corps of Gen, Meeks on the north of Owl Creek, and the cavalry- 
down toward onr camj). This cavalry captured a part of our ad- 
vance pickets, and afterwards enj^ag-ed two companies of Col. Buck- 
land's rej^iment, as described b)- him in his report herewith en- 
closed. Our cavalry drove them back upon their artiller\' and in- 
fantr> , killino; many, and bringing ten prisoners (all of the 1st 
Alabama Cavalry,) whom I sent to you. I have the honor to be 
your obedient servant W. T. Sherman, 

Brigadier General Commanding." 

The three rebel corps commanders, who knew every foot of 
the ground, thus tell this portion of the story in their official re- 
ports : 

General Hardee, who commanded the advance corps, says : 

"About 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, April 5th, my corps 
reached the outposts and developed the lines of the enemy. It 
was immediately deployed in the line of battle, about one mile and 
a half east of the Shiloh Church, where Lick Creek and Owl 
Creek approach most nearly. The right was extended toward 
Lick Creek, and the left rested near Owl Creek, which streams at 
that point are rather more than three miles apart. The storm of 
the preceding night rendered the roads so miry that the ■ different 
commands were not collected at Shiloh nntil 4 oi 5 o'clock in the 
afternoon. This rendered it necessary to postpone the attack un- 
til the next day." 

General Bragg, who commanded the corps following General 
Hardee, says in his official report : 

"The road to Monterey (eleven miles) was found very bad, re- 
quiring us until 11 o'clock on the 4th to concentrate at that place, 
where one of my brigades joined the column. Moving from there, 
the command bivouacked for the night near Mickey House, im- 
mediately in the rear of Maj. General Hardee's corps, Maj. Gen- 
eral Polk's being just in our rear. Our advanced cavalry had 



16 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

encountered the enemy during the day and captured several pris- 
oners, being compelled, however, to retire. A reconnoissance in 
some force from the enemy made its appearance during the even- 
ing in front of General Hardee's corps, and was promptly driven 
back." 

General Polk, commanding the rear corps of the rebel line, 
says in his report : 

"I maintained the interval ordered between General Hardee's 
and my corps during the night of the 3d and during the following 
day, and halted the head of my column at the crossroads at 
Mickey's at dark on the 4th, according to instructions, my column 
being well up. At Mickey's we were about two and a half miles 
from the place at which our line of battle was to be formed, and 
here the head of General Bragg's corps also bivouacked for the 
night. 

"At 3 o'clock on the following morning (Saturday, the 5th,) 
the whole of my command was under arms in waiting on the road, 
which it could not take, as it was occupied by the troops of Gen- 
eral Bragg, which were filing into the rear of those of General 
Hardee. It was near 2 o'clock before the whole of General Bragg's 
corps had passed. I then put my column in motion and rode to 
the front» Proceeding half a mile, I sent Colonel Richmond, my 
aide-de-camp, followed, to ascertain the point at which General 
Lewis' line would cross the road, and to measure back for the place 
I was to halt and deploy." 

General Ammen relates in his diary that at General Grant's 
headquarters at Savannah, even after the sound of the battle was 
heavy, the idea that a general engagement was in progress was 
ridiculed Geijeral Ammen writes as follows of the visit he made 
with General Nelson to headquarters, when the latter was exhibit- 
ing the greatest impatience to get to the field : 

"I ascertained that my friend. General C. T. Smith, was up 
stairs a cripple, and obtained permission to see him. He was in 



o3rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 17 

fine spirits, laujjhcd at luc fot thinking a great battle was raging — 
said it was only a skirmish of pickets, and that I was accustomed 
to small affairs. He said it was a large and hot picket skirmish." 

An officer of Ciencral Beauregard's staff, who helped direct 
the rebel advance for the attack, wrote thus of the matter : 

"The total absence of ca\alry pickets from General Grant's 
army was a matter of perfect amazement. There were absolutely 
none on Cirant's loft, where Breckenridge's division was meeting 
his, so that we were able to come up within hearing of their drums 
entirely unperceived. The Southern Generals always kept cavalry 
pickets out for miles, often when no enemy was supposed to be 
within a day's march of them. The infantry pickets of Grant's 
forces were not above three-fourths of a mile from his advance 
camps, and they were too few to make any resistance." 

General Sherman, in his Memoirs, thus describes his own 
leisurely movements on vSunday morning, and what happened to 
show him that the rebels were actually attacking him : 

''On Sunday morning, the 6th, early, there was a good deal of 
picket firing, and I got breakfast, rode out along my lines, and 
about four hundred yards to the front of Appier's regiment and 
received from some bushes in the ravine to the left front a volley, 
which killed my orderly, Holliday. About the same time I saw 
the rebel lines of battle in front coming down on us as far as the 
eye could reach." 

In his official report of the battle, General Sherman fixes 8 
o'clock, Sunday — the rebels having attacked soon after daylight — 
as the hour when he first concluded that the rebels intended an 
attack. On this point he says : 

"On Saturday the enemy's cavalry was again very bold, coming 
down to our front, yet I did not believe they designed anything 
but a strong demonstration. About (S a. m. Sunday, I saw the 
glistening bayonets of the heavy masses of infantry to our left 



18 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



front in the woods beyond the small stream alluded to, and became 
satisfied for the first time that the enemy designed a determined 
attack on our whole camp." 

The second branch of the attempted revision of the history 
of Shiloh, designed to show that the rebels might have been de- 
feated the second day without the aid of Buell, can be better 
answered after General Sherman discovers his proof. It is not out 
of place, however, to present a picture of the condition of affairs 
at Pittsburg Landing when the advance of General Buell's army 
arrived there. 

General Ammen, in his diary, thus described the scene when 
the head of General Nelson's division reached the opposite bank : 

" The pioneers were put to work to cut a road down the bank 
to enable the men and horses to get on the boats. The northeast 
bank is low, and the opposite bank is high — one hundred feet or 
more. The space between the top of the bank and the river up 
and down one half mile or more was crowded with men. The 
river was full of boats with steam up, and these boats had many 
soldiers on them. Men in uniform on the boats under the river 
bank, 10,000 to 15,000, demoralized, signaled, urging us to hurry 
over, which I could not understand, as there were so many in the 
boats and on the bank not engaged, of the reserve, as I supposed 
them. General Nelson went over on the first boat with part of 
the 36th Indiana, Colonel Gross. General Nelson ordered me to 
remain and see my brigade over, and gave orders to the command- 
ers of the other brigades (Colonels Hazen and Bruce) to bring 
their brigades after the 10th. I instructed Gross to be certain to 
keep guides at the river to conduct all our command to the same 
point on their arrival by boat. Part of the 10th had been sent 
over. Orders had been given to Colonels Hazen and Bruce, and I 
crossed half of the 10th on each side. The boats were crowded 
with demoralized soldiers, so that only three or four companies 
could cross in a boat. On our passage over they said their regi- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 19 

ments were cut to pieces, etc., and that we would meet the same 
fate, etc. Tlie vaji^abonds under the bank told the same story, and 
vet my new troops pres.sed throngrh the crowd without showing 
any signs of fear. In crossing the river some of my men called 
niv attention to the men with uniforms, even shoulder straps, 
making their way across the stream on logs, and wished to shoot 
the cowards. Such looks of terror, such confusion I never saw 
before, and do not wish to see again On top of the bank I found 
the :>()th Indiana partly formed in line, persons running from the 
front passing through the line and breaking it." 

This condition was in no wise due to the cowardice of officers 
or men, but their commands were simply overwhelmed, and the 
attack coming as a surprise, as it did, they could not withstand 
the forces. The panic on the part of the men and subordinate 
officers was caused by the troops not being prepared for the attack. 

I would call attention, briefly, to the generals in command of 
the Confederate forces. The night prior to the attack was clear, 
bright, and, according to one authority, the commanders of each 
corps of the Confederate forces had come together at General 
Johnston's headquarters to receive their final orders. 

Beauregard was restless and nervous and could scarcely keep 
still. 

General Breckinridge is reported, as lying on the ground, 
wrapped in a blanket, pale but thoughtful. A very few months 
previous he occupied the exalted position of Vice President of the 
United States. It had only been a few months since he had left 
his seat in the Senate and turned his back upon the nation. To- 
morrow he realizes that he will be engaged in a deadly battle 
against the Nation he so recently deserted. 

The preacher, as it afterwards developed, the great fighter, 
General Polk, was sitting near by with his elbows upon his knees, 
silent and pensive. 



20 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Another conspicuous figure was that of General Bragg, who 
did service in the Mexican War, and whose battery held the com- 
manding position and did great execution at the battle of Buena 
Vista. He was a man of energy and one who did not hesitate to 
express his views to General Johnston. 

General Albert Sidney Johnston, the Commander-in-chief of 
the Confederate forces, little dreamed that within the next forty- 
eight hours he would have answered the roll call of the Divine. 
He was tall and broad shouldered, his hair already slightly gray. 
He had spent his life, or the most of it, in the service of the Unit- 
en States. His face was wrinkled and his cheeks pale. He, no 
doubt, was thinking over the mortification of his forced evacua- 
tion of Bowling Green and his further defeat at Donelson. He 
seemed to have but one idea, and that was to retrieve lost honor 
and to hammer Sherman's and Prentiss' divisions. His instruc- 
tions were "Hammer them, gentlemen, hammer them !" His idea 
was to drive the forces into the Tennessee River, and he said 
further : "To-morrow night we must sleep in the enemy's camp." 
It is further said that he boasted that "We must water our horses 
to-morrow night in the Tennessee River or in hell." The latter 
cannot be fully substantiated, but it is currently believed. How 
well he kept that promise after events proved. 

General Beauregard was regarded as second in command. He 
was idolized to some extent because he had captured Fort 
Sumpter. 

The Confederate forces did not originally intend to commence 
the battle upon Sunday, but had designed that a general attack 
should take place Saturday morning. The delay was owing to 
recent rains and the impassable condition of the roads for ar- 
tillery. 

General Sherman's division, composed of four brigades, was 
on the extreme right of the line near Shiloh Church. The Third 



o'MlD OHIO VOLUNTKKR INFANTRY. 21 



Brigade of this division was composed of the o.'Jrd, r>7th and TTlh 
Ohio and commanded by Colonel Hildebrand, of the 77th Ohio. 

Some three or fonr companies of a Missouri regiment, perhaps 
the 2oth, were sent to ascertain the presence of the enemy at 3 a. 
m. on Sunday. They soon encountered the rebel picket line and 
firing began. From this on to five or six o'clock, the firing was 
desultory, but near sunrise the battle was well on. 

One of Sherman's brigade commanders, General Buckland, 
was to take his brigade on a reconnoissance early in the morning 
of the (jtli. He was at his breakfast when the rattle of musketry 
fell upon his ear. His first instruction was to beat the long roll, 
and in a few minutes one of his regiments was in line and the 
general in his saddle. He reported at once to General Sherman's 
headquarters, informing him of the advance of the enemy. It was 
the work of a very few minutes to have the entire division in line. 
With Sherman's division were three batteries, Waterhouse's, Tay- 
tor's and Behr's. (rcneral Sherman came immediately to the 
front, and for the Orst time saw the advance of the Confederate 
forces upon his left and east of the church. He said at once to 
McClernand, ''Support my left." His word to General Prentiss 
was, "The enemy are upon us in force," and then to Hurlburt, 
"Support Prentiss." While General Sherman was on the front 
line near the edge of the ravine with the 53rd Ohio, General John- 
ston was on the other side, putting a brigade in position, and one 
of that rebel brio^ade killed Sherman's orderlv. 

The Third brigade received the first shock of the battle. The 
three regiments were formed in line of battle upon their respective 
color lines , the o.'ird Ohio holding the extreme left at the time of 
the attack. 

The night previous to the attack GenerBl Wells S. Jones, 
commander of Company A, was brigade officer of the guard. In 
an interview, he says, "I was nervous all night and upon the alert 
and along the guard-line most of the night." He was making his 



22 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

way to brigade headquarters early in the morning to make a re- 
report. As he passed his regiment he observed that Colonel 
Appier was forming in line of battle. He had not proceeded very 
far until he observed the 77th and 57th were forming into line. 
At that time sharp skirmishing was going on in our front, and the 
rebel line of battle was not to exceed one-fourth of a mile in front of 
our brigade line. Soon, too soon for some of us, the bullets began 
to fly around us, sending the dirt in all directions. At about this 
time the enemy's artillery opened upon our line. The first shot 
cut off the tree branches just to the rear of Co. A. Soon it was 
apparent that the enemy was upon our left, as rapid firing was 
gaining in that direction. The rebels were upon higher ground, 
while the position of the 53rd was upon low ground ; hence, the 
regiment held its fire until an opportune time or the nearer ap- 
proach of the enemy. After the left of the regiment had been en- 
gaged for sometime, it fell back in good order. Captain Jones, in 
command of the right, stubbornly held his position in line, until 
proper orders had been received for retreat. The regiment had 
retreated some 300 yards, with its right flank toward the enemy in 
place of fronting the line. Captain Jones suggested to Colonel 
Appier that we were not in proper position ; we should face the 
enemy. The captain asked that he be permitted to march the 
regiment towards the Church until the front was changed, saying 
to Colonel i\ppler, "We came here to fight, and we are in no pos- 
ition to fight where we are." The Colonel honored the sugges- 
tion and the new position was taken. The officers of the right 
wing were pleased with the new position. They said, "This is a 
good place to fight, and we will stay here." Captain Jones sug- 
gested to the officers upon the right that he apprehended Colonel 
Appier would give an order to fall back as soon as we were at- 
tacked. Captain Jones said, "I am not going." Captain Percy, 
Lieutenant Starkey, and Dawes replied, "We will stay with you." 
If it had been possible for someone to pass this declaration along 
down the line to all the company officers, regardless of the col- 



o'iRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 23 



onel, there would in all probability have been no confusion or dis- 
order when that officer gave the order to retreat. In other words, 
the regiment would have held its ground. 

The right of the regiment held its position until 12 m. The 
enemy had by this time passed us on the left and was between us 
and Prentiss' division. Companies A and F then fell back and 
fell in with the 48th Ohio and remained with them until darkness 
closed the first day's fight at Shiloh. After night fell, the right 
and left wings were brought together ; the left wing being 
farther out on the front line of the day's battle than the right. 
However, each wing fought manfully from early morn till dark. 
After the two wings became separated the left was held together 
by Lieutenant-Colonel Fulton, and the right by Captain Wells S. 
Jones, of Company A. 

On Monday, the regiment was a part of McClernand's force and 
merited praise by soldierly conduct. ^IcClernand's Division, the 
second day, had for its left the o3rd and 8 1st Ohio regiments. The 
position was in an open field, and was supported by McAllister's 
and two other batteries. The division moved quite a distance 
with but little, if any opposition, but the enemy finally came upon 
its left, and by a skillful movement, by the left flank, charged 
across the open field in the rear of the division. The 58rd and the 
81st Ohio bore the brunt of this attack and resisted it manfully, 
but had to yield to superior numbers and was driven back, the 
whole line retreating. Re-enforcements came to our rescue. The 
enemy charged us, driving us back through the former camp of 
McClernand, when we were again compelled to yield the field to 
the enemy. By a dexterous move upon the part of McCook upon 
the right, with two divisions, attention was drawn from the left, 
and the tide of battle surged to the right. Thus closed one of the 
most hotly contested battles of the war, with the Union forces in 
full possession of the field and the enemy retreating southward 
toward Corinth. 



24 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

General «Beauregard admits the following losses in his official 
report: Killed, 1,728; wounded, 8,012; missing, 959; total, 
1U,699. 

The casualties of the Union forces are reported as follows : 
Killed, 1,7(J0; wounded, 7,495; missing, 3,022; total, 12,212. 

The 53rd Ohio Regiment reported losses, to-wit : Killed, 7 ; 
wounded, 39 ; missing, 5 ; total, 51. 

In view of the foregoing facts, giving the course of events in 
detail, it is impossible to deny that the battle of Shiloh was a 
great surprise. Taking into consideration the physical condition 
of the regiment, and indeed of the army at the date of this battle, 
(and good health is essential to good fighting;) also that the army 
was simply en-massed with no regard to military rules or the us- 
ages of war ; that the men and the majority of the officers were 
amateurs in matters of warfare ; that the few experienced officers 
of former wars, or those who were West Point graduates, were re- 
mote from the front, abusing themselves with the use of stimu- 
lants to a greater or less degree, ignoring the comforts of soldiers ; 
that these officers were personally responsible for our total unpre- 
paredness for an attack ; that they were utterly ignorant of the fact 
that an enemy's army was lurking in our front, and disdained to 
entertain any report of the same ; that our entire army was ex- 
posed, with no out-posts and only limited pickets, with unprepared 
quartermaster and commissary departments, and an unorganized 
medical corps ; that almost our sole reliance was upon our numer- 
ical strength ; — it would be a gross injustice to the men who 
fought this battle to say that they were responsible for the deplor- 
able disasters of the first day's fighting. 

Our officers were laboring under the delusion that the enemy 
were preparing to act on the defensive whenever we, in our own 
' good time, deemed it prudent to approach their line of fortifica- 
tions at Corinth, which our able (?) generals knew were being con- 
structed. 



5,3rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



25 



It is well to note that we had no fortifications of any kind for 
onr nse ; our entire force being in a unorganized condition, resemb- 
ling more a mob than what it should have been, a well organized and 
equipped army ; yet, notwithstanding all this, and more things that 
could be enumerated, that battle was fought and won, more as the 
result of good luck than good generalship ; yet, after the battle 
some of these same gentlemen wearing epaulets called some of the 
regiments into column by companies and criticized their conduct 
at the outset of the battle ; because, forsooth, they numbering less 
than 2, ()()() did not hold in check and whip an entire corps of 10,- 
000 men. The conclusion is inevitable that we were wanting in 
strategic leadership. vSomeone was to blame and if these gentle- 
men could find a scape-goat they might escape just condemnation 
for poor generalship, ind thus it was that the 5;ird and 77th Ohio 
were censured. The happy conclusion of tb.is whole unfortunate 
affair is that both General Sherman and General Grant fully re- 
deemed themselves during the subsequent years of the war. So 
also did the two regiments just named, as I am confident the read- 
er will be convinced if he follow this narrative to its conclusion. 




26 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER IV. 



SHiLOH — Fulton's report. 

It is deemed important, and it will not be uninteresting, to 
publish herewith the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert A. Ful- 
ton, who was next in command to Colonel Appier, and who com- 
manded the Regiment throughout the battle of Pittsburg Land- 
ing : 

''''Headquarters Fifty-third Ohio Vols.^ 
''Camp Shiloh, April ^th, 1862. 

"Sir : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
part taken by my regiment in the engagement of the 6th, 7th, 
and 8th : 

"Shortly after daylight on the morning of the 6th, the regi- 
ment was formed on the color line under order and direction of 
Colonel Appier. After remaining here for a time, they were 
moved to the left of our camp, forming a line of battle perpendi- 
cular to the first line. Soon after Colonel Appier ordered the regi- 
ment to face about and wheel to the right and take position in the 
rear of the camp, which maneuver was executed under fire of the 
rebel skirmishers. The new line of battle was formed just in the 
rear of our camp, in the edge of the woods. A section of Water- 
house's battery took position in the woods at our right. General 
Sherman and staff rode up to the open field in front of the left 
wing and were fired upon by the rebel skirmishers, now advancing 
through the thicket in front of our camp, killing an orderly. 

" General Sherman, riding back, ordered Colonel Appier to hold 
his position ; he would support him. A battery opened upon us. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEKR INFANTRY. . 27 



The section of artillery on our right, after fn ing two shots lim- 
bered up and went to the rear. A line of rebel infantry advanced 
to within fifty yards and were fired into by the left wing and re- 
coiled. Advancing again, they were met by a fire from the regi- 
ment, under which they again fell back. At this time Colonel 
Appier gave the command : ' I'all back and save yourselves.' 
Hearing this order, the regiment fell back in disorder, passing 
around the flanks of the Illinois 4i>th. 

" Here, in connection with the company oflficers and the adju- 
tant, I succeeded in rallying the regiment, and was about to station 
them at the crossing of the creek, above the Big Springs, to repel 
the force who were turning the flank of the Fifty-seventh Ohio, 
when Colonel Appier, by direction, he says, of a staff officer of 
General McClernand, moved the regiment by the left flank up the 
ravine, and afterwards by the right flank, taking position on the 
hill to the left of Shiloh Chapel, and near the front of General 
Sherman's headquarters. 

" The regiment remained in this position for some time exposed 
to a galling fire, which could not be returned without endangering 
the regiment in front, who were hotly engaged. Colonel Appier 
here abandoned the regiment, giving again the order : ' Fall back 
and save yourselves.' Companies A and F, under command of 
Captains W. S. Jones and J. R. Percy, with Adjutant Dawes, te- 
mained in the front, and soon after became hotly engaged, in con- 
nection with the Seventeenth Illinois. This regiment retreating, 
these two companies fell back after them, making as much resist- 
ance as possible. They afterwards joined the Forty-eighth Ohio, 
and with them aided in repelling the final assault made Sunday 
evening, and joined me again at night. 

'' When the remaining eight companies of the regiment fell 
back, I became separated from them. When I again joined them 
they were formed with a portion of the Seventy-seventh Ohio, 
under command of Major B. D. Fearing. 



28 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

" I immediately assumed command. Shortly afterwards, at 
the request of Captain Bouton, First Illinois Light Artilleay, 
moved to a point near the siege-gun battery, where he took posi- 
tion, with my regiment as support. Shortly after, at about 3:30 
p. m., Captain Hammond, Assistant Adjutant-General to General 
Sherman, rode up and ordered Captain Bouton's battery into posi- 
tion on the front and right. He called upon us to go out and sup- 
port the battery. I immediately formed my men and marched 
out, several fragments of regiments near bv refusing to go. 

" Marching out, probably half a mile, the battery halted, and 
I formed on their left. Captain Bouton opened fire and was an- 
swered by a sharp fire of shot and shell from the rebel batteries, 
followed by canister, which killed a number of his horses and ren- 
dered his position untenable. 

"A detail from my regiment, under Sergeant M. K. Bosworth, 
assisted in drawing off his guns. Remained here during the night, 
and in the morning were ordered to advance, the Eighty-first Ohio 
on our left and the Forty-fifth Illinois on our right. 

" Moved out with skirmishers well to the front for nearly a 
mile, when our skirmishers, under command of Lieutenant R. A. 
Starkey and Lieutenant J. W. Fulton, encountered the rebel 
videttes, driving them steadily until we reached the edge of the 
field known as McClernand's drill-ground. Here a rebel battery 
opened upon us, doing but little damage, however, as our men 
were protected by the conformation of the ground. This battery 
was soon partially silenced by our artillery, and we were ordered 
to fix bayonets and charge My men advanced in good style 
across the field. Nearing the battery, it was discovered to be en- 
tirely abandoned. 

" The line was halted, and skirmishers sent out in front re- 
ported a large rebel force rapidly advancing immediately in our 
front. They opened a sharp fire upon us, which was returned with 
good effect. Shells from a battery of our own upon our right and 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 29 

rear coinitienced burstings over our heads. The rebels, repossess- 
ing the battery from which we liad once driven them, opened upon 
us again. The Kighty-first Ohio, upon my left, fell back across 
the open field. The staff officer who had taken upon himself the 
direction of the line rode up and twice ordered my regiment to re- 
treat. The second time they fell back in considerable disorder, 
having to pass the line of fire of our own and the rebel batteries. 
While engaged in rallying my regiment, upon the other side of 
the field, (reneral McClernand rode up and ordered me to post them 
as sharp-shooters. Remained in this position until the advance of 
General BuelTs troops across the field to the left closed the day in 
our favor, when I marched my regiment to the left, through the 
drill-ground of our division, to Shiloh Chapel, where I was shortly 
atterwards joined by the remainder of the brigade. 

" On the morning of the Mth we were ordered with the rest of 
the brigade to pursue the retreating army. About five miles out 
a cavalry charge was made upon the Seventy-seventh Ohio, de- 
ployed in the advance, resulting in the rout of that regiment and 
a battalion of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, their immediate sup- 
port. We were ordered by Colonel Hildebrand to their support, 
and advanced at a double-quick, with fixed bayonets, driving the 
rebel cavalry before us, killing and wounding a number of them 
and forcing them to relinquish most of the prisoners taken. 

" Halting here, details were made from my regiment to destroy 
the rebel camp near at hand, to carry off the wounded, bury the 
dead and collect the arms. This being accomplished, we returned 
to our old camp near Shiloh Chapel. 

" Respectfully, 

" R. A. FULTON, 
" Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. 
" Lieutenant S. S. McNaughton, 

" Acting Assistant Adjutant-General." 



30 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER V. 



SHILOH — SHERMAN'S REPORT. 

With no intention ot wearying the reader, but for the sole 
purpose of establishing the fact that the 53rd Ohio did good and 
honorable service throughout the fight of April 6th and 7th, I 
herewith append a portion, at least, of the report of Brigadier- 
General William T. Sherman, U. S. Army, commanding the Fifth 
Division. 

^''Headquarters Fifth Dwisioii^ 
''Camp Shiloh, April 10///, 1862. 

" Sir : — I have the honor to report that on Friday, the 4th 
instant, the enemy's cavalry drove in our pickets posted about a 
mile and a half in advance of my center, on the main Corinth 
road, capturing one first lieutenant and seven men ; that I caused 
a pursuit by the cavalry of my division, driving them back about 
five miles and killing many. 

" On Saturday the enemy's cavalry was again very bold, com- 
ing well down to pur front, yet I did not believe that he designed 
anything but a strong demonstration. 

" On Sunday morning early, the 6th instant, the enemy 
drove our advance-guard back on the main body, when I ordered 
under arms my division, and sent word to General McClernand 
asking him to support my left ; to General Prentiss, giving him 
notice that the enemy was in our front in force, and to General 
Hurlbut, asking him to support General Prentiss. At that time 
(7 a. ra.) my division was arranged as foHows : — First Brigade, 
composed of the Sixth Iowa, Colonel J. A. McDowell ; Fortieth 
Illinois, Colonel Hicks ; Forty-sixth Ohio, Colonel Worthington, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 31 

and the Morton Battery, Captain Bclir, on tlie extreme rig^ht, 
gnardinf]^ tlic l^ridcje on the Pnrdy Road over Owl Creek. vSecond 
Brigade, composed of the Fifty-fifth Illinois, Colonel D. Stuart ; 
Fifty-fourth Ohio, Colonel T. Kilby Smith and the vSeventy-first 
Ohio, Colonel Mason, on the extreme left, g-nardinj;^ the ford over 
Lick Creek. Third Brigade, composed of the Seventy-seventh 
Ohio, Colonel Hildebrand ; Fifty-third Ohio, Colonel Appier, and 
the Fifty-seventh Ohio, Colonel Mungen, on the left of the Corinth 
Road, its right resting on Shiloh Meeting-hou.sc. Fourth Brigade, 
composed of the Seventy-second Ohio, Colonel Buckland ; Forty- 
eighth Ohio, Colonel Sullivan, and Seventhieth Ohio, Colonel 
Cockerill, on the right of the Corinth Road, its left resting on 
Shiloh Meeting-house. Two batteries of Artillery (Taylor's and 
Waterhouse's) were posted, the former at Shiloh and the latter on 
a ridge to the left, with a front fire over open ground between 
Mungen's and Appier's regiments. The cavalry, eight companies 
of the Fourth Illinois, under Colonel Dickey, was posted in a large 
open field to the left and rear of Shiloh Meeting-house, which I 
regarded as the center of my position. 

"Shortly after 7 a. m., with my entire staff, I rode along a 
portion of our front, and when in the open field before Appier's 
regiment the enemy's pickets opened a brisk fire on my party, 
killing my orderly, Thomas D. Holliday, of Company H, Second 
Illinois Cavalry. The fire came from the bushes which line a 
small stream that rises in the field in front of Appier's camp and 
flows to the north along my whole front. The valley afforded the 
enemy a partial cover, but our men were so posted as to have a 
good fire at him as he crossed the valley and ascended the rising 
ground on our side. 

"About 8 a. m. I saw the glistening bayonets of heavy masses 
of infantry to our left front in the woods beyond the small stream 
alluded to, and became satisfied for the first time that the enemy 
designed a determined attack upon our whole camp. All the reg- 
iments of my division were then in line of battle at their proper 



32 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

posts. I rode to Colonel Appier and ordered him to hold his 
ground at all hazards, as he held the left flank of our first line of 
battle. I informed him that he had a good battery on his right 
and strong support in his rear. General McClernand had prompt- 
ly responded to my request, and had sent me three regiments, 
which were posted to protect Waterhouse's battery and the left 
flank of my line. The battle began by the enemy opening a bat- 
tery in the woods to our front and throwing shells into our camp. 
Taylor's and Waterhouse's batteries promptly responded, and I 
then observed heavy battalions of infantry passing obliquely to the 
left across the open field in Appier's front ; also other columns ad- 
vancing directly upon my division. Our infantry and artillery 
opened along the whole line and the battle became general. Other 
heavy masses of the enem}'s forces kept passing across the field to 
our left and directing their course on General Prentiss. I .saw at 
once that the enemy designed to pass my left flank and fall upon 
General McClernand and General Prentiss, whose line of camps 
was almost parallel with the Tennessee river and about two miles 
back from it. Very soon the sound of musketry and artillery an- 
nounced that General Prentiss was engaged, and about 9 a. m. I 
judged that he was falling back About this time i\ppler's regi- 
ment broke in disorder, soon followed by fugitives from ^Nlungen's 
regiment, and the enemy pressed forward on Waterhouse's battery 
thereby exposed. 

"The three Illinois regiments in immediate support of this 
battery stood for some time, but the enemy's advance was .so vig- 
orous and the fire so severe, that when Colonel Raith, of the P'orty- 
third Illinois, received a severe wound and fell from his horse, his 
regiment and the others manifested disorder, and the enemy got 
possession of three guns of the (Waterhouse) battery. Although 
our left was thus turned and the enemy was pressing the whole 
line, I deemed Shiloh so important that I remained by it, and re- 
newed my orders to Colonels McDowell and Buckland to hold 
their ground, and we did hold those positions till about 10 o'clock 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEKR INFANTRY. 33 

a. m., when the enemy got his artillery to the rear of our left 
flank, and sonic change became absolutely necessary. 

" The regiments of Hildebrand's brigade-^-Appler's and Mun- 
gen's — had already disappeared to the rear, and Hildebrand's own 
regiment was in disorder, and therefore I gave directions for Tay- 
lor's battery, still at Shiloh, to fall back as far as the Purdy and 
Hamburg road, and for McDowell and Buckland to adopt the road 
as their new line. I rode across the angle and met Behr's battery 
at the cross-roads, and ordered it immediately to unlimber and- 
come into battery action right. Captain Behr gave the order, but 
he was almost immediately shot from his horse, when the drivers 
and gunners fled in disorder, carrying off the caissons and aband- 
oning five out of six guns, without firing a shot. The enemy 
pressed on, gaining this battery, and we were again forced to 
choo.se a new line of defense. Hildebrand's brigade had sub- 
stantially disappeared from the field, though he himself bravely 
remained. McDowell's and Buckland's brigades still retained 
their organization, and were conducted by my aides so as to join 
General McClernand's right, thus abandoning my original camps 
and line. This was about 10:30 a. m., at which time the enemy 
had made a furious attack on General McClernand's whole front. 
Finding him pressed, I moved McDowell's brigade directly against 
the left flank of the enemy, forced him back some distance, and 
then directed the men to avail themselves of every cover — trees, 
fallen timber, and a wooded valley to our right. We held this 
position for four long hours, sometimes gaining and at other times 
losing ground. General McClernand and myself acting in perfect 
concert and struggling to maintain this line. 

" While we were so hardly pressed two Iowa regiments ap- 
proached from the rear, but could not be brought up to the severe 
fire that was raging in our front, and General Grant, \vho visited 
us on that ground, will remember our situation about 3 p. m.; but 
about 4 p. m. it was evident that Hurlbut's line had been driven 
back to the river, and knowing that General Wallace was coming 



34 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

from Crump's Landing with re-enforcements, General McClernand 
and I, on consultation, selected a new line of defense, with its right 
covering the bridge by which General Wallace had to approach. 
We fell back as well as we could, gathering, in addition to our 
own, such scattered forces as we could find, and formed a new line. 
During this change the enemy's cavalry charged us, but was hand- 
somely repulsed by an Illinois regiment, whose number I did not 
learn at that time or since. The Fifth Ohio Battery, which had 
come up, rendered good service in holding the enemy in check for 
some time ; and Major Taylor also came up with a new battery 
and got into position just in time to get a good flanking fire upon 
the enemy's columns as he pressed on General McClernand's right, 
checking his advance, when General McClernand's division made 
a fine charge on the enemy and drove him back into the ravines 
to our front and right. I had a clear field about 200 yards wide 
in my immediate front, and contented myself with keeping the 
enemy's infantry at that distance during the rest of the day. 

'* In this position we rested for the night. My command had 
become decidedly of a mixed character. Buckland's brigade was 
the only one with me that retained its organization. Colonel 
Hildebrand was personally there, but his brigade was not. Colonel 
McDowell had been severely injured by a fall from his horse, and 
had gone to the river, and the three regiments of his brigade were 
not in line. The Thirteenth Missouri (Colonel Crafts J. Wright) 
had reported to me on the field and fought well, retaining its regi- 
mental organization, and it formed a part of my line during Sun- 
day night and all of Monday. Other fragments of regiments and 
companies had also fallen into my division, and acted with it 
during the remainder of the battle. Generals Grant and Buell 
visited me in our bivouac that evening, and from them I learned 
the situation of affairs on the other parts of the field. General 
Wallace arrived from Crump's Landing shortly after dark, and 
formed his line to my right and rear. It rained hard during the 
night, but our men were in good spirits and lay on their arms, 



5.3rd OHIO VOLUNTKER INFANTRY. 35. 



being satisfied with, such bread and meat as conld be gathered 
from the neighboring camps, and determined to redeem on Mon- 
day the losses of Sunday. 

"At daylight on Monday I received General Grant's orders to 
advance, and recapture our original camps. I dispatched several 
members of my staff to bring up all the men they could find, and 
especially the brigade of Colonel vStuart, which had been separat- 
ed from the division all the day before ; and at the appointed time 
the division, or rather what remained of it, with the Thirteenth 
Missouri and other fragments, marched forward and reoccupied 
the ground on the extreme right of General McClernand's camp, 
where we attracted the fire of a battery located near Colonel Mc- 
Dowell's former headquarters. Here I remained, patiently wait- 
ing for the sound of General Buell's advance upon the main 
Corinth road. About 10 a. m. the heavy firing in that direction 
and its steady approach satisfied me, and General Wallace being 
on our right flank with his well conducted division, I led the head 
of my column to General McClernand's right, and formed line of 
battle facing south, with Buckland's brigade directly across the 
ridge and Stuart's brigade on its right in the wood, and thus ad- 
vanced slowly and steadily, under a heavy fire of musketry and ar- 
tillery. Taylor had just got to me from the rear, where he had 
gone for ammunition, and biought up three gnus, which I ordered 
into position, to advance by hand, firing. These guns belonged 
to Company A, Chicago Light Artillery, commanded by Lieuten- 
ant P. P. Wood, and did most excellent service. Under cover of 
their fire we advanced till we reached the point where the Corinth 
road crosses the line of McClernand's camps, and here I saw for 
the first time the well-ordered and compact columns of General 
Buell's Kentucky forces, whose soldierly movements at once gave 
confidence to our newer and less-disciplined men. Here I saw 
Willich's regiment advance upon a point of water-oaks and thick- 
et, behind which I knew the enemy was in great strength, and en- 
ter it in beautiful style. Then arose the severest musketry fire I 



.36 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

ever heard, which lasted some twenty minutes, when this splendid 
reg^iment had to fall back. This grreen point of timber is about 
500 yards east of Shiloh Meeting-house, and it was evident that 
here was to be the struggle. The enemy could also be seen form- 
ing his lines to the south ; and General McClernand sending to me 
for artillery, I detached to him the three guns of Lieutenant 
Wood's battery, and seeing some others to the rear, I sent one of 
ray staff to bring them forward, when, by almost Providential de- 
cree, they prbved to be two 24-pound howitzers, belonging to Mc- 
Allister's battery, served as well as ever guns could be. This was 
about 2 p. m. 

" The enemy had one battery close by Shiloh and another 
near the Hamburg road, both pouring grape and canister upon any 
column of troops that advanced towards the green point of water- 
oaks. Willich's regiment had been repulsed, but a whole brigade 
of McCook's division advanced beautifully, deployed, and entered 
this dreaded woods. I ordered my Second Brigade, then com- 
manded by Colonel T. Kilby Smith, (Colonel Stuart being wound- 
ed,) to form on its right, and my Fourth Brigade, (Colonel Buck- 
land) on its right, all to advance abreast with this Kentucky 
brigade before mentioned, which I afterwards found to be Rous- 
seau's brigade of McCook's division. I gave personal direction to 
the 24-pounder guns, whose well-directed fire first silenced the 
enemy's guns to the left, and afterwards at the Shiloh Meeting- 
house. Rousseau's brigade moved in splendid order steadily to 
the front, sweeping everything before it, and at 4 p. m. we stood 
upon the ground of our original front line, and the enemy was in 
full retreat. I directed my several brigades to resume at once 
their original camps. Several times during the battle cartridges 
gave out, but General Grant had thoughtfully kept a supply com- 
ing from the rear. When I appealed to regiments to stand fast, 
although out of cartridges, I did so because to retire a regiment 
for any cause has a bad effect on others. I commend the Fortieth 
Illinois and Thirteenth Missouri for thus holding their ground 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INF'ANTRY. 37 

under a heavy fire, although their cartridge boxes were empty. I 
am ordered by General Grant to give personal credit where it is 
due, and censure where I think it merited. I concede that General 
McCook's splendid division from Kentucky drove back the enemy 
along the Corinth road, which was the great central line of this 
battle. There Beauregard commanded in person, supported by 
Bragg's, Johnston's and Breckenridge's divisions. I think Johns- 
ton was killed by exposing himself in front of his troops at the 
time of their attack on Buckland's brigade on Sunday morning, 
although in this I may be mistaken. 

" My division was made up of regiments perfectly new, nearly 
all having received their muskets for the first time at Paducah. 
None of them had ever been imder fire or beheld heavy columns 
of an enemy bearing down on them as they did on us last Sunday. 
They knew nothing of the value of combination and organization. 
When individual fear seized them, the first impulse was to get 
away. To expect of them the coolness and steadiness of older 
troops would be wrong. My Third Brigade did break much too 
soon, and I am not yet advised where they were during Sunday 
afternoon and Monday morning. Colonel Hildebrand, its com- 
mander, was as good as any man I ever saw, and no one could have 
made stronger effoits to hold men to their places than he did. He 
kept his own regiment, with individual exceptions, in hand an 
hour after Appier's and !\Iungen's regiments had left their proper 
field of action. 

"Colonel Buckland managed his brigade well. I commend 
him to your notice as a cool, juducious, iutelligent gentleman, 
needing only confidence and experience to make a good command- 
er. His subordinates, Colonels Sullivan and Cockerill, behaved 
with great gallantry, the former receiving a severe wound on Sun- 
day, and yet commanding and holding his regiment well in hand 
all day; and on Monday, till his right arm was broken by a shot. 
Colonel Cockerill held a larger portion of his men than any col- 
onel in my division, and was with us from first to last. Colonel 



38 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



J. A. McDowell, commanding^ the First Brigade held his ground 
on Sunday till I ordered him to fall back, which he did in line of 
battle, and when ordered he conducted the attack on the enemy's 
left in good style. In falling back to the next position he was 
thrown from his horse and injured, and his brigade was not in po- 
sition on Monday morning. His subordinates, Colonels Hicks and 
Worthington, displayed great personal courage. Colonel Hicks 
led his regiment in the attack on Sunday, and received a wound 
which is feared may prove mortal. He is a brave and gallant gen- 
tleman and deserves well of his country. Lieutenant Colonel 
Walcutt, of the Forty-sixth Ohio, was wounded on Sunday, and 
has been disabled ever since. 

"My Second Brigade, Colonel Stuart, was detached near two 
miles from my headquarters. He had to fight his own battle on 
Sunday, as the enemy interposed between him and General Pren- 
tiss early in the day. Colonel Stuart was wounded severely, and 
yet reported for duty on Monday morning, but was compelled to 
leave during the day, when the command devolved on Colonel T. 
Kilby Smith, Fifty-fourth Ohio, who was always in the thickest 
of the fight and led the brigade handsomely. I have not yet re- 
ceived Colonel Stuart's report of the operations of his brigade dur- 
'ine the time he was detached, and must therefore forbear to men- 
tion names. Lieutenant-Colonel Kyle, of the Seventy-first, was 
mortally wounded on Sunday, but the regiment itself I did not see, 
as only a small fragment of it was with the brigade when it joined 
the division on Monday morning. Great credit is due the frag- 
ments of the disordered regiments who kept in the advance. I 
observed and noticed them, but until the brigadiers and colonels 
make their reports I cannot venture to name individuals, but will 
in due season notice all who kept in our front line, as well as those 
who preferred to keep near the steamboat landing. 

" I am, with very much respect, your obedient servant, 

"W. T. SHERMAN, 
" Brigadier General Commanding Fifth Division. 
" Captain John A. Rawlins, 

" Assistant Adjutant-General to General Grant.'' 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. . 39 



CHAPTER VI. 



SHILOH — DAWES' FIRST DAY. 



It is a pleasure to present herewith to the readers of this vol- 
ume a paper entitled " My First Day Under Fire at Shiloh, " by 
Lieutenant-Colonel E. C. Dawes. 

This is obtained from " Volume Four, Sketches of War His- 
tory, " published by the Comniandery of the State of Ohio, Mili- 
tary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, by permission 
of the Commanderv : 

" The Fifty-third Ohio Regiment, in which I served, began 
to recruit at Jackson, Ohio, early in September, 186L Its organ- 
ization was not fully completed until February, 1802, when it was 
ordered to report at Paducah, Kentucky, where it arrived Feb- 
ruary 23rd. 

" The Colonel of the regiment, Jesse J, Appier, was a man 
about fifty years of age, but of fine presence. In early life he had 
served for a time on the sloop of war, Hornet. He had little edu- 
cation, but much general intelligence ; good ideas of discipline, 
but no knowledge of drill nor of the army regulations. The 
Lieutenant-Colonel, R. A. Fulton, was also past middle age. He 
was ignorant of military affairs, but there was no braver man in 
the army. The Major, H. S. Cox, was a comparatively young 
man ; he had been a member of the Lew Wallace Zouave Company 
before the war, and had been at the battle of Bull Run as sergeant 
in the First Ohio. He was expected to drill the regiment, but 
owing to ill-health he never did, and the regiment had not had a 
battalion drill when it went to the field. I was the Adjutant. I 
graduated at Marietta College in June, 1861, and, with two excep- 
tions, was the youngest officer in the regiment. 



40 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

" March 7th, at Paducah, the regiment received its arms, and 
on the same day embarked on steamers for Savannah, Tennessee. 
March 15th, the regiment, then a part of the Third Brigade of 
General Sherman's Fifth Division, landed at Pittsburgh, and on 
the 19th was encamped on the Rea Farm, one-half mile south of 
Shiloh Chapel. There were three regiments in the brigade — 
Seventy-seventh, Fifty-seventh and Fifty-third Ohio. The right 
of the brigade rested on the Corinth road in front of Shiloh Church. 
The line extended south, parallel with the road, and the brigade 
front was west. Buckland's brigade, which joined ours on the 
right, faced south. Our regiment was on the left of the brigade, 
and was separated from the Fifty-seventh Ohio by an interval of 
some two hundred yards. 

''The nearest troops on our left, or rather in our rear, were 
Prentiss' Division, just one-half mile awiy. 

" Colonel Jesse Hildebrand, of the Seventy-seventh Ohio, our 
brigade commander, was past sixty years of age. He was a Major- 
General of Ohio Militia, and he probably knew something of 
ancient tactics, but he never mastered the intricacies of Hardee. 
Though commander of the brigade, he retained personal command 
of the Seventy-seventh Ohio, his own regiment, and required its 
adjutant to act also as adjutant of the brigade. He had no staff, 
and not even a mounted orderly, and his headquarters were on the 
extreme right of the brigade, just by the old church. 

" For a better understanding of the general situation, perhaps 
I should say, that, upon representations made by General Halleck, 
General McClellan, then General-in-chief of the armies of the 
United States, soon after the capture of F'ort Donelson, directed 
that General Grant be relieved from the command of his a,rmy in 
the field, and that the command be given to General C. F. Smith. 
Under General Smith's orders, and upon the recommendation of 
General Sherman, Pittsburgh Landing was chosen as the point to 
concentrate the army. General Smith was rendered unfit for duty 
by a severe accident about the middle of March, and General 



;j3RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 41 



(iiant resinned command of the army in tlie field, with headqnar- 
ters at Savannah. The correspondence indicates that in his own 
absence General Grant regarded General Sherman as in command 
of all troops at Pittsbnrgh, except the division of General Mc- 
Clernand, who ontranked him. This was natnral enough, as 
Sherman was the only division commander in the Army of the 
Tennessee who had graduated at West Point and .served in the 
old army. 

" On Friday, April 4th, there was a considerable skirmish 
about one mile in front of our camp. Some prisoners were cap- 
tured. They were confined in Shiloh Church over night. I did 
not see them. Those who did, reported that they claimed to be 
the advance of a great army, that would drive us into the river the 
next day. 

" Saturday, April 5th, was a day of rumors. Colonel Appier 
was very uneasy. About four o'clock in the afternoon, some 
mounted men were seen at the end of the field, south of our camp. 
The colonel sent an officer with a platoon of men through the 
woods to find out who they were, and to bring them in, if enemies. 
The men were gone some time, a few shots were heard, and the 
officer returned, reporting that the mounted men had escaped him 
and his men had been fired upon by what appeared to be a picket 
line of men in butternut clothes. 

" Colonel Appier ordered the regiment in line and .sent the 
quartermaster, Lieutenant J. W. Fulton, to General Sherman with 
this report. By the time the regiment was formed, the quarter- 
master came back and said in the hearing of many of the men : 
' Colonel Appier, General Sherman says : Take your d d reg- 
iment to Ohio, There is no enemy nearer than Corinth. ' There 
was a laugh at the colonel's expense, and the regiment broke ranks 
without waiting for an order. 

"At seven o'clock p. m., Colonel Hildebrand sent word to 
Colonel Appier that General Sherman had been to his tent, and 



42 HISTORICAI. SKETCH OF THE 

told him that the force in front of our army had been definitely as- 
certained to be two regiments of cavalry, two regiments of infantry, 
and one battery of artillery. He had directed Colonel Hildebrand 
to send the Seventy-seventh Ohio Regiment at 6:30 a. m. Sunday, 
April 6th, out on the Corinth road to a point known as See House, 
about one and one-half miles from Shiloh Church, to support a 
movement of our cavalry, intended to attack and drive away or 
capture the part of this force in our immediate front; Colonel 
Appier sent me to each company commander with this informa- 
tion. He was not entirely satisfied, however, and ordered a picket 
of sixteen men sent to the southern end of the Rea field, with or- 
ders to report any movement of troops in their front, and to return 
to camp at daybreak, but under no circumstances to fire unless 
attacked. Mindful of General Sherman's message, he did not re- 
port this action to either brigade or division headquarters. 

" About four o'clock Sunday morning, Colonel Appier came 
to my tent and called : ' Adjutant, get up, quick, ' I hurried out 
and walked with him to the left of the camp. We could hear oc- 
occasional shots beyond our pickets. He said he had been up all 
night, and that there had been constant firing. While we were 
standing there, our picket of sixteen men came in. They reported 
that they had heard a good deal of firing, and were sure that there 
was a large force in our front. The firing increased, for three 
companies sent out by Colonel Peabody, of Prentiss' division, had 
found the Confederate line and attacked it. 

" The Colonel sent me to form the regiment ; then called me 
back, directed me to go to Colonel Hildebrand ; again called me 
back, and finally sent a soldier to the brigade picket line, which 
was not three hundred yards away, to ascertain and report the 
facts. Before the soldier was out of camp, a man of the Twenty- 
fifth Missouri regiment, shot in the arm, came hurrying towards 
us, and cried out : ' Get into line ; the rebels are coming ! ' 

" Colonel Appier hesitated no longer, but ordered the long 
roll, and formed the regiment on its color line. The only mouut- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTKKR INFANTRY. 43 

ed officers of the regiment then were the lieutenant-colonel and the 
quartermaster. He sent one of them to Colonel Hildebrand and 
one to General Sherman with the report of the wounded man. 
General Sherman's quarters were nearer than Colonel Hildebrand's 
and the quartermaster returned first, and said, this time in a lower 
tone: 'General Sherman says you must be badly scared over 
there. ' 

"The lieutenant-colonel brought from Colonel Hildebrand an 
order to send two companies to re-inforce the picket. Two com- 
panies were sent. An officer of our regiment, just out of bed, 
came running to the line half-dressed, and cried out : * ' Colonel, 
the rebels are crossing the field ! ' Colonel Appier ordered the 
regiment to move to the left of the camp, facing south, and direct- 
ed me to go at the head of the regiment and halt it at the proper 
point. As we filed left, one of the companies that had been sent 
to support the pickets came back through the brush, the captain 
exclaiming, as he took his place in line : ' The rebels out there 
are thicker than fleas on a dog's back. ' A messenger from Col- 
onel Hildebrand came, ordering the movement we were executing. 
I halted the regiment at the proper point, and looking to the right, 
saw the Confederate line of battle apparently within musket shot, 
and moving directly towards our right flank. 

" The sun had arisen in a clear sky, and the bright gun 
barrels of the advancing line shone through the green leaves. I 
gave the command, ' Front ! left dress ! ' and, hastening to Colo- 
nel Appier, who was in the rear of the center of the regiment, said 
in a low tone : ' Colonel, look to the right. ' Colonel Appier 
looked up, and, with an exclamation of astonishment, said : ' This 
is no place for us ; ' and commanded : ' Battalion, about face ; right 
wheel ! ' 

" At this time, 6:45 a. m., the tents were standing, the sick 
were still in the camps and the sentinels were pacing their beats, 
the officers' servants and company cooks were preparing breakfast, 
the details for brigade guard and fatigue duty were marching to 



44 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

their posts, and in our regiment the sutler shop was open. This 
order brought the regiment back through its camp. Colonel Ap- 
pier, marching in front, cried out a number of times, in the loud- 
est tones of his shrill, clear voice : ' Sick men to the rear ! ' It 
is needless to add they obeyed. The regiment halted at the brow 
of the elevation in the rear of the officers' tents, marched ten 
paces and lay down in the brush where the ground began to 
slope the other way. 

" While the men were marching back through the camp, the 
Confederate skirmishers fired upon them. No one was hit and 
there was no confusion. Two pieces of artillery of Waterhouse's 
battery took position on the right of the regiment, as it halted, 
and General Sherman and staff rode along its front, stopping a few 
paces in front of the Sixth company. 

" Captain Jones, Lieutenant Starkey, and myself, stood on the 
high ground in front of Company A. General Sherman, with his 
glass, was looking along the prolongation of the line of the regi- 
ment at the troops marching across the end of the Rea field, and 
did not notice the line on his right. Lieutenant Eustace H. Ball, 
of Company E, of our regiment, had risen from a sick bed, when 
he heard Colonel Appier's command, and was walking along in 
front of the line of his company. I saw the Confederate skirmish- 
ers emerge from the brush which fringed the little stream in front 
of the regiment's camp, halt and raise their guns. I called to 
him : ' Ball, Sherman will be shot.' He ran towards the general 
crying out: 'General, look to your right.' Geneial Sherman 
dropped his glass, and looking to the right saw the advancing line 
of Hardee's corps, threw up his hand and exclaimed : 'My God, 
we are attacked ! ' The skirmishers fired ; an orderly fell dead by 
the general's side. Wheeling his horse he galloped back, calling 
to Colonel Appier as he passed him : ' Appier, hold your position ; 
I will support you.' 

"The view from the high ground where I stood at this time 
was one never to be forgotten. In front were the steadily advanc- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 45 

incr lines of Hardee's corps, inarchinj^ in perfect order, and extend- 
ino; until lost to si^ht in the timber on either flank. In an open 
space in the Corinth road a battery was unlimbering. Directly in 
front of the spot where General Sherman's orderly lay dead there 
was a group of mounted officers and a peculiar flag — dark blue, 
with a white center. 

" The camps of Buckland's and Hildcbrand's brigades were 
in sight ; all the regiments were in line ; those of Buckland were 
marching forward ; there were great intervals between them, for 
sickness had made heavy inroads in the ranks. All of the tents 
were standing. F'rom the rear of all the camps hundreds of men 
were hastening to the rear. These were the sick, the hospital at- 
tendants, the teamsters, the cooks, the officers' servants, the sut- 
lers, and some who should have been in line. In great numbers, 
and without arms, they streamed back through the camps of 
General McClernand's division, carrying the news of the attack, 
announcing their commands, and giving reason for the report that 
the entire front line had given way without firing a shot. There 
was a shaip rattle of musketry far to the left, on General Prentiss' 
front. The long roll was beating in McClernand's camps. The 
Confederate battery fired, its first shot cutting off a tree top above 
our Company A. The two pieces of Waterhouse's battery each 
fired a shot, limbered up, and returned to the battery camp ; a 
Confederate regiment came through the line of our officers' tents ; 
Colonel Appier gave the command to fire ; there was a tremendous 
crash of musketry on the whole front of Hilderand's and Buck- 
land's brigades. The battle was fairly on. 

" The hour marked by the first cannon shot was seven. The 
first fire of our men was very effective. The Confederate line fell 
back, rallied, came forward, received another volley, and again 
fell back, when our colonel, who was behind the left wing, cried 
out : ' Retreat, and save yourselves.' 

" Two or three companies on the right, whose commanders 
did not hear this order, stayed until they saw the remainder of the 



46 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

regiment going back in confusion, and then marched back, in or- 
der, to a ravine in the rear of a regiment of McClernand's division 
which had just come forward. Here the regiment was rallied 
without difficulty. General McClernand was there, and in person 
ordered it into position in front of General Sherman's headquar- 
ters, designating the point where the right should rest. The reg- 
iment marched to the position indicated. The Colonel walked 
quietly along near the Tront. There were many bullets singing 
through the air, but he paid no attention to them. In its new 
place the two right Companies, A and F, were separated some 
thirty yards from the remainder of the regiment by a deep but 
short ravine. Colonel Appier remained with them while I went 
to the left. 

" One of McClernand's regiments went to our front and at 
once became hotly engaged. Waterhouse's battery was firing 
down the ravine between our camp and the Fifty-seventh Ohio 
camp. A good many men in our left were shot here by a fire 
which they could not return because of McClernand's regiment in 
our front. 

" As I turned to go back from the left to the right I saw the 
Fifty-seventh Ohio, which had been fighting on its color line, fall- 
ing back through its camp, its ranks broken by the standing tents, 
despite the efforts of the gallant lieutenant-colonel, A. V. Rice, the 
only field officer with it. It seemed to me we could help them by 
moving the length of a regiment to our right Bud perhaps save the 
line. I ran to where the colonel was lying on the ground behind 
a tree, and stooping over said, ' Colonel, let us go and help the 
Fifty-seventh. They are falling back. ' He looked up ; his face 
was like ashes ; the awful fear of death was upon it ; he pointed 
over his shoulder in an indefinite direction, and squeaked out in a 
trembling voice : ' No, form the men back here. ' Our miserable 
position flashed upon me. We were in the front of a great battle. 
Our regiment never had a battalion drill. Some men in it had 
never fired a gun. Our lieutenant-colonel had become lost in the 



03rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 47 



confusion of the first retreat, the major was in tlie hospital, and our 
colonel was a coward. I said to him, with an adjective not neces- 
sary to- repeat, ' Colonel, I will not do it. ' He jumped to his feet 
and literally ran away. 

" The sergeant-major, W. B. Stephenson, who was an old col- 
lege friend, had followed me up to the line. I said to him, ' Go, 
quick, and order each company to close up to the right. ' I went 
to Captain Wells S. Jones, of Company A, and said, ' Captain, you 
are in command ; Appier has ruu away. I have ordered the regi- 
ment to close up to the right ; let us help the Fifty-seventh. ' He 
replied, ' All right ; get the men together ; tell every company 
commander my order is to stay at the front, and come back as 
quick as you can. ' 

" I ran down the line, stopping a moment to speak to brave 
old Captain Percy, of Company F. He swung his sw^ord over his 
head and said : 'Tell Captain Jones I am with him. Let us 
charge ! ' ' Wait till we get together,' I replied, and he assented. 
Just then the regiment in our front, which had been fighting most 
gallantly, broke to the rear. I passed across the ravine and met 
the sergeant-major, who said : ' The men have all gone.' Where 
or why they went we could not then imagine. It transpired that 
our brigade commander had ridden over and ordered them back to 
' the road.' He did not designate what road ; they expected him 
to conduct them, and went back until they found a road and re- 
mained there until Major Fearing, with the remnant of the 
Seventy-seventh came along, when they placed themselves under 
• his command. I went back to Captain Jones, who had moved a 
little way to the right, and had directed the fire of Companies A 
and F to protect, as far as possible, the flank of the Fifty-seventh. 
Bullets now began to come from our left. The battery swung 
around and began to fire almost to its rear. Men from Prentiss' 
division were passing very rapidly behind us. The Seventeenth 
Illinois Regiment came up in beautiful order, and, forming on the 



48 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

right into line, on our left, began to fire at the Confederates who 
were coming now from the southeast. We continued firing almost 
west. 

" There was a soldier, A. C. Voris, in the Seventeenth Illinois, 
whose relatives at home I knew, and whose acquaintance I had 
made a few days before the battle. I saw him as the regiment 
came up, and asked him (he was a veteran of Frederickstown and 
Fort Donelson) to come with us. He replied : ' Ask the captain.' 
The captain said : ' Voris is a good man, he may go ;' but said to 
him, ' Watch the regiment and don't get lost.' Voris came with 
me. He was a brave, cool man. First he found some Enfield 
rifle cartridges for Company A, and filled their nearly empty boxes. 
Next he went along the line, telling the men he had seen the ele- 
phant before, and had learned that the way to meet him was to 
keep cool, shoot slow and aim low. He said, ' Why, it's just like 
shooting squirrels — only these squirrels have guns, that's all.' 
Pretty soon he called out : 'Good-bye,' and as he hurried to his 
company I saw his regiment moving by the left flank. 

*' The Confederates had now captured three of Waterhouse's 
guns. They swarmed around them like bees. They jumped upon 
the guns, and on the hay-bales in the battery camp, and yelled 
like crazy men. Captain Jones moved our little squad, now re- 
duced to about forty men, to join Lieutenant-Colonel Rice, com- 
manding the Fifty-seventh Ohio, who was still making a fight on 
the left of Shiloh Church. Of seventy men in Companies A and 
F, nineteen had been killed or wounded, eight or ten had gone to 
the rear with badly wounded men, one had fallen in a hole, and 
when pulled out had permission to go to the rear by the most ex- 
peditious route. 

" No orders had been issued in our brigade in regard to the 
care of the wounded. No stretchers were provided. No stretcher 
bearers had been detailed. We had not yet learned that in victory 
was the only battlefield-humanity. When a man was wounded, his 



53rd OHIO VOI.UNTKKR INFANTRY. 49 



comrades took him to the rear, and thus many good soldiers were 
lost to the firino; line. 

" We joined Colonel Rice, and, together with his men, drove 
back a disorderly line that was pursuing us, and then, with the 
Seventy-seventh Ohio, made a line parallel with the Corinth road, 
the right of this line resting near vShiloh Chapel, and the left ex- 
tending toward the river. In other words, the brigade had swung 
around ou the old church, as a pivot, until we were now firing ex- 
actlv to the rear of our camps or nearly due east. 

" There was a good deal of disorder here. Everybody wanted 
cartridges. There were three kinds of guns in our brigade and 
six in the division, all requiring ammunition of different caliber. 
Of our brigade not over four hundred men were present. The 
brigade commander had disappeared. During the fight he had 
displayed the most reckless gallantry. At one time he rode his 
horse directly between the opposing lines of battle, but when the 
Seventy-seventh and Fifty-seventh regiments were driven from 
their camps, he assumed that their usefulness was at an end, and 
rode away and tendered his services to General ]\IcClernand for 
staflf duty. This line was soon broken ; bullets came from too 
many points of the compass. The situation was aptly described 
by a man who was hit on the shin by a glancing ball. It hurt 
him awfully and he screamed out. His captain said, ' Go to the 
rear. ' As the line broke and began to drift through the brush, 
this soldier came limping back and said, ' Cap, give me a gun. 
This blamed fight aint got any rear. ' 

" On the Purdy road, two regiments of Buckland's brigade, 
the Forty-eighth and Seventy-second Ohio, were in line. Our men 
and the Fifty-seventh fell in with the Forty-eighth Ohio. Here 
was more confusion than I saw at any time during the day. The 
troops who retained their organization were in good shape, but 
there were many disorganized liien ; the road was almost blocked 
with teams hurrving from the battle line ; a battery was trying to 



50 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



get into position ; the Confederates charged ; there was a brisk fire 
for a few moments. Our line gave way at all points. As the line 
began to waver one of our men called to me, ' See that cannon. ' 
There was a brass gun stuck between two small trees, apparently 
abandoned by all but one man, who sat on the wheel horse crying. 
I took seven of our men who were near me and called to Colonel 
Rice, who took a dozen or more men. In a moment we broke 
down the saplings and released the gun. 

" Looking for the regiment we had left, we saw no one at all. 
We hurried to join the nearest troops, and fell in with the Seven- 
tieth Ohio Regiment, which we now saw for the first time. I 
had no idea where we were, and think no one else had. All 
around was a roar of musketry ; immediately about us was the 
silence literally of death, for the ground was strewn with the slain 
of both armies. Captain Cockerill rode at the head of his regi- 
ment in a perfectly cool matter-of-fact way, as if it was his custom 
to pass through such scenes every Sunday morning. He marched 
the regiment along the road — his official report says by the right 
flank, my recollection is by the left — several hundred yards, where 
I saw the sergeant-major of the Seventy-seventh Ohio Regiment 
in the brush near by. 

" I called to him : ' Where is the Seventy-seventh ? ' 'I don't 
know,' he replied. ' I was captured this morning and just escaped.' 
' Come with us,' I said. ' No,' he answered, ' I am going with this 
regiment,' pointing to the right. I went out in the brush to see 
what he meant. In an open field on lower ground to our right 
was a regiment with full ranks, uniformed in blue, marching by 
flank to the drum beat. This course was obliquely across the path 
of the Seventieth Regiment ; a few moments would bring them to- 
gether. It did not seem possible that a Union regiment in such 
• condition could be coming from the battle line. I said : ' They 
are rebels. I am going to fire on them.' He said : 'They are 
not.' The wind lifted the silken folds of their banner. It was 
the Louisiana State flag. 



53Rn OHIO VOI.UNTKKR INKANTRY. 51 



" Wc all had <jun.s, and dropped to our knees and fired. The 
men on the road saw ns, ran forward, and a rattling \olley ran 
along the line. The Lonisianians broke in disorder to their rear, 
and we marched unharmed past the point of danger. Colonel 
Cockerill in his official report says this was just at noon. 

" Passing the head of a ravine. Colonel Rice, pointing to our 
left to a man on horseback, about two hundred yards.away, said, 
' There is Major Sanger. ' Sanger was an officer of General Sher- 
man's staff. I ran towards him (wherever I went the seven men 
of our regiment followed), waving my hat to attract his attention, 
I came up with him and said, ' Major, where is our brigade?' ' I 
don't know where anybody is, ' he replied ; ' I had reported to Gen- 
eral Hind man. ' (A Confederate general). 

" Just then a stand of grape came whirring through the air 
and struck under his horse, the horse ran away and I never heard 
the rest of the story. A Confederate battery was now in position 
near the place where we left Colonel Rice. It did not seem best 
to try to drive it away with seven men, but the line of its fire was 
pretty certainly toward our troops. If we could follow and not get 
shot we could surely fiud somebody There was an old farm road 
along which we ran, falling on our faces at each report of the can- 
non. I think we went half a mile when I saw Colonel Hildebrand 
sitting on his horse by an old log barn, intently watching the sway- 
ing lines and waving banners of the troops, fighting acro.ss a long 
open field south. ' Now, we are all right, ' I said to our men, and 
directing them to lie down in a little gully, I went to the colonel, 
and said, ' Colonel, where is the brigade ?' ' I don't know ; go 
along down that road and I guess you will find some of them. I 
saw Jack Henrickle out there just now. ' ' Why don't you come 
with us, get the men together and do something?' I said. 'Go 
along down that road, ' he answered sharply, ' I want to watch this 
fight. ' 

" Cannon shot were whizzing through the air, bullets were 
spatting against the old barn. It was not an ideal place to .tarry, 



52 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



SO calling my men we followed the road, crossed the head of a 
deep ravine and found Lieutenant Henrickle, a typical battle pic- 
ture. His arm and shoulder were covered with blood, where a 
wounded man had fallen against him. His coat was torn by a 
bullet ; his face was stained with powder ; his lips were blacken- 
ed by biting cartridges ; he carried a gun. His eyes shone like fire. 
He was the man we had long sought. I said to him, ' Jack, where 
is the brigade ? ' He replied, ' Part of your regiment and part of 
ours are right down this way a little way. ' I felt like falling on 
his neck and weeping for joy, but did not, and only said, ' What 
time is it ? ' I was amazed when after consulting his watch he 
replied, ' A quarter to three o'clock. ' We walked rapidly down 
the road, and soon found that portion of our regiment which had 
fallen back early in the morning, about two hundred and fifty 
strong, now under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fulton. Near 
them was the Seventy-seventh Ohio Regiment, having about the 
same number of men, commanded by Major B. D. Fearing. With 
them was a battery that had arrived at the landing that forenoon, 
had not yet been under fire, and had received no orders whatever. 
They were in front or south of the main road leading from Pitts- 
burg Landing to Corinth, and several hundred yards west of some 
heavy guns, which I suppose were of the famous siege gun battery, 
which figures so largely in all accounts of the battle. A few min- 
utes after I reached the regiment, Captain Hammond, who was 
General Sherman's A. A. G., rode up and gave to the commander 
of the battery an order which I did not hear, and then coming to 
us, cried out in an excited tone : ' Sidney Johnston is killed ! 
Beauregard is captured ! Buell is coming ! I want volunteers to go 
out and support this battery. ' 

" At the command : ' Attention ! ' our men fell in, and we 
marched out the main Corinth road to its junction with the road 
running from Hamburg to Crump's Landing ; marched along it a 
little way to the right, then a short distance forward, where the 
battery went into position with our regiment on its left. My 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 53 



recollection is that three pieces of the battery went perhaps a 
luuulred yards to the right of the others and fired to the right 
obliqne. The guns immediately with us fired directly to the 
front. The battery had hardly opened fire when it was answered 
by a Confederate battery with shot and shell. At first the shells 
burst far above our heads. But soon another Confederate battery 
began to fire at a different angle, so as to partially enfilade the 
line. This battery was served with remarkable skill. In a very 
short time it had disabled two guns of our battery and killed ten 
or twelve horses. Our battery men, however, stood up to their 
work until they had fired away their last round of ammunition. I 
suppose this artillery fire lasted an hour. I do not think a single 
man, either in our regiment or the battery, was killed or wounded. 
" We lost one man, and this is the way we lost him : I was 
behind the center of our regiment, on one knee, watching the men 
who were lying down. Many of them were nervous, naturally 
enough, as this was the first considerable artillery fire they had 
ever been under. Immediately in front of me was a man who was 
particularly uneasy. In the hottest of the fire he sprang to his feet 
and screeched out in a voice clearly audible above the roar of the 
guns : ' I must go to the river and see my brother ; he's sick ! ' 
Involuntarily, I said : ' What is the matter with him ? ' And 
away he went as rapidly as his feet could carry him. 

" When our battery ceased firing the Confederates ceased also, 
and the guns of the battery were hauled away, our men assisting. 
The regiment was then ordered to move back to the road, where 
it came in a line which had been formed, and which extended 
north and east as far as we could see. Three men were left to 
watch the front and report the expected advance of the enemy. 
Some one ran in with the report that a regiment of cavalry was 
filing into the ravine in front. Skirmishers w-ere sent out all along 
the line, and the cavalry was quickly driven away. Our fight for 
the day was over. A most infernal din broke out on our left, and 
seemed to extend to the river. Stragglers from the river bank 



54 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

came running up behind us. We could not see the fight plainly 
enough to tell much of it, but we could readily tell that our peo- 
ple were making the most noise, and we were confident of suc- 
cess. 

" In about one-half hour the firing ceased almost as suddenly 
as it had begun. We were not quite certain what the result had 
been, so, on my own responsibility, I sent a reliable man to go 
down the line as far as possible and find out the situation. In the 
meantime we had a sort of inspection of our men, and I distributed 
pieces of paper, torn from an old order book found on the ground, 
to the company commanders, to take the names of the men 
present. 

" One of the officers called to me to listen to the story of a 
man who had just come from the river. This man said : ' Our 
army has surrendered.' I said : 'How do you know?' He re- 
plied : ' I saw them.' I said : ' How did they do it? What did 
you see ? ' He replied : ' I saw a regiment of our cavalry drawn 
up in a line on the river bank, each man standing at his horse's 
head with his arms and accoutrements lying at his feet, and a rebel 
officer going along the line taking down the men's names.' I 
said : ' What do you propose to do about it ? ' He replied : ' I 
propose to get up a party and build a raft and float down the river 
to Paducah.' ' I said : ' You can't get any men here. If the 
army has surrendered, and there is only one officer taking the 
names of all of them, he will get along to us about six months 
after our time is out.' 

" He disappeared, and in a few moments the man I had sent 
down the line came hurrying back with the cheering news that, in 
the last fight our men had been completely successful ; that he had 
seen Captain Jones, who, with with our Companies A and F, had 
taken part in the action on the extreme left with the Forty-eighth 
Ohio, and was now marching to us ; that Buell's advance division 
was crossing the river, and as a voucher for this statement he 



5;1rd OHIO voluntep:r infantry. 



55 



brought his brother with him, who was a sergeant in tlie Sixth 
Ohio Regiment of Buell's army. 

" A number of men gathered around to hear this report. The 
sentiment of all was expressed by one, who said : 'By Golly, I 
knowed it. I told you all the time. We are going to lick these 
fellows out of their boots to-morrow. No army ever attacked an- 
other army on Sunday that did not finally get whipped. ' 

" This was the end of my first day under fire. In the light of 
subsequent experience, I can see many things I might have done 
much better, but as I recall the circumstances then existing, I have 
no apologies to make. " 




56 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER VII. 



SHILOH BASIL DTJKE'S PAPER. 

In the closing paragraphs of Chapter II, reference is made to 
General Basil Duke's paper on the Battle of Shiloh. This is one 
of the most able accounts from the Confederate side that have ever 
been published, and has received favorable commendation from ex- 
officers of the Union army. His personal consent was given to 
the publication of the same in this History. It is entitled : 

" THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 



" A Report from tJic Confederate Side — Johnstoii's Objective Point 
— Success IVithoiit a I Ictory — A Stray Ball That Killed the 
Confederate Commander Saved Granfs Army — The Federal 
Army Was Surprised., But the Soldiers Fought Bravely — A 
High Tribute to Their Courage. " 

"Two great battles of the civil war seem to command an es- 
pecial interest denied the others. Many fields as bloody and not 
less important in results have passed out of the popular recollec- 
tion, but the names of these are still familiar. While the memo- 
ries of the dire struggle are growing dim even in the minds of its 
veterans, and a generation which knew little or nothing of its act- 
ual conduct regards its general history with the indifference the 
busy present usually feels for the dead past, there yet lingers a 
wish to hear all that may be told of Shiloh and Gettysburg, and 
something like the curiosity which contemporary events attract is 
entertained for them. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 57 



"The ordinary incidents which, in the imagination, are at- 
tached to war and battle — the mere ' pomp and pride ' and conflict 
and carnage — will not serve to explain this feeling. It is not becanse 
so many brave, ardent lives were lost on the slopes of ' Cemetery 
Ridge, ' or amid the tangled brakes of the ' Hornet's Nest. ' Death 
was dealt as relentlessly inmany another terrible engagement, now 
forgotten or never mentioned ; and the bitter, rankling ani- 
mosity snch sacrifices kindle indnces not a remembrance of 
particnlar combats so much as an angry recollection of the 
whole ghastly strife. The reason for it is to be fonnd in 
the peculiar impression which these battles made upon the 
popular mind North and South when they were fought, and 
the associations which have always been connected with them. 
They excited something more than the hope or fear, exul- 
tation, disappointment, or resentment which reported victory 
or defeat ordinarily occasion. They were regarded as typical bat- 
tles which might serve to illustrate how the tide of conflict would 
flow ; and if the experience which both sides had acquired ere Get- 
tysburg caused auguries more correct to be drawn from that tre- 
mendous trial, nevertheless the oracle uttered at Shiloh certain 
truths which could not be misunderstood. 

"Gettysburg w^s the first and last real battle fought on 
Northern soil and within the territory of a State unquestiouably 
loyal. When it was over, and General Lee retired beyond the 
Potomac, the North knew, and the South was compelled to realize, 
that the war would be confined henceforth, as it had been before, 
to Southern territory. The one lost all fear of invasion, the other 
abandoned all hope of relief from the horrors of invasion. 

" Shiloh was the first serious battle fought at all, cither in the 
east or west. All those previously delivered were mere skirm- 
ishes in comparison. It opened the eyes of the people of both 
sections to the true nature of the business which they had on hand. 
It taught each the mettle of the other, and from that date Federal 
and Confederate entertained a wholesome respect for his adversary, 



58 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

very different from the vainglorious nonsense with which each 
took the field. The Northern soldier no longer anticipated an 
almost bloodless promenade to the gulf, and an only ninety-days'- 
term of service. Gone and dissipated forever was the Southern 
soldier's pleasing delusion that ' one of our boys could whip three 
Yankees.' When that terrible grapple on the banks of the Ten- 
nessee had closed, tlie ground, ' drenched with fraternal blood ' and 
covered with more than '20,000 dead and wounded men, bore start- 
ling testimony to the character of the contest, and the boldest 
might well hold their breath, appalled at the fierce work of the 
future. 

" If, after Shiloh, the soldiers of the contending armies re- 
alized the sort of fighting which was before them ; if the two peo- 
ples were no less thoroughly aroused to an appreciation of the 
tedious and tremendous strain to which their patience and ener- 
gies would be subjected, it is also the fact that the respective 
governments knew for the first time how vast were the difficulties, 
and strenuous the task with which each was confronted. . In short, 
that which people, soldiery, and administration on either side had 
fondly believed would be a brief and almost bloodless campaign, 
resulting in easy victory and comparatively innocuous triumph, 
suddenly gave proof that it was but the beginning of a stubborn 
and exhausting warfare of years, the cost of which, in life and 
treasure, no man could compute. Both sides could find reason for 
pride in the conduct of the battle, but its result was, in some 
measure, a disappointment to each. The North, despite her meas- 
ureless confidence in her resources and numbers, and her just 
reliance on the resolution and fortitude of the hardy volunteers 
who filled her ranks, discovered that she had underrated her antag- 
onist, and success, if certain in the end, was nevertheless remote. 
' The best proof of what conclusions were drawn from the conduct 
and issue of the battle is found in the entire change of Federal 
tactics from that day. The bayonet was exchanged for the spade, 
and the grand march was turned into a siege of the South.' 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 59 



" The South, on the other hand, learned there and then that 
the permanent invasion which she deemed impossible was an ac- 
complished fact; that the Federal columns which had penetiated 
her territory were not to be so inevitably routed and rolled back so 
soon as struck by her massed armies, as she had implicitly be- 
lieved. The extent and tenacity of the Northern purpose was 
suddenly revealed to her, and history will record of her people 
that, putting aside the dreamy folly and braggart humor of the 
earlier days of the Confederacy, they bent their whole strength to 
an effort indeed worthy to be called heroic. General Albert Sidney 
Johnston had been, immediately upon his arrival at Richmond, 
assigned to the command of ' Department No. 2,' embracing the 
whole territory of the Southern Confederacy west of the Alle- 
ghanies. 

"Early in the fall of 18G1 he established his line in Ken- 
tucky, with its center at Bowling Green ; and stretching from the 
Virginia border to Columbus, on the Mississippi River. He was 
never able, however, to collect troops in sufficient force to ade- 
quately man this line without being compelled, in so doing, to 
strip every other important point in his department of necessary 
garrisons. This position, in some respects strong and advantage- 
ous, had one serious strategic defect. The Cumberland and Ten- 
nessee rivers emptying into the Ohio, their mouths in the posses- 
sion of the Federal forces, might at any time be ascended by gun- 
boats and fleets of transports carrying an army larger than Johns- 
ton's entire effective force ; and if, a combined attack by land and 
water on the forts erected to guard these streams should be success- 
ful, the integrity of the Confederate line would not only be so 
compromised as to compel a retreat, but, unless that retreat was 
prompt, rapid, and continued until General Johnston again con- 
fronted the invading army, the latter might penetrate into the very 
heart of the department, and effectually preventing any concentra- 
tion of the troops organized for its defense, easily beat them in de- 
tail, oi compel their disbandment. This part of the line was in 



60 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

fact attacked and broken. In February General Grant assaulted 
and, with the aid of gunboats, reduced both forts — Henry on the 
Tennessee and Done] son on the Cumberland — capturing the gar- 
risons, amounting in the aggregate to very nearly one-third of the 
whole effective strength which General Johnston had, at any time, 
been enabled to make available for the maintainance of his line. 
General Johnston instantly evacuated Bowling Green ; indeed, he 
commenced his retreat before the fall of Donelson, aud the only 
policy which ofTered any hope of remedying the great injury in- 
flicted on the Confederate arms in that quarter was without hesita- 
tion adopted. Comprehending the full extent of the disaster just 
suffered, and of the impending danger, he acted with the prompt- 
ness, decision, and energy which characterize great commanders. 

" He perceived with quick and clear sagacity that Kentucky 
and Tennessee were alike lost to him by the blow which had just 
fallen on his left flank. They could not be saved, but they might 
be regained. 

" But an even greater peril and more irretrievable disaster 
menaced his department. The fall of Fort Henry having given 
the Tennessee River to the use of the Federal generals, it was cer- 
tain that they would promptly transport an army to the point most 
available for further rapid and decisive offensive operations. He 
at once divined that their plan would be to sieze Corinth at the 
junction of the Mobile & Ohio and Memphis & Charleston rail- 
roads. The forces intended for that operation he felt sure would 
be disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, thirty miles from Corinth. 
If Corinth was occupied by these forces while he still lingered in 
Tennessee with the troops which had been stationed at Bowling 
Green and other points in Kentucky, all chance of concentrating 
his army, of amassing all his available strength, would, as has al- 
ready been indicated, be lost ; he could never hope to be in a con- 
dition to deliver successful and decisive battle, as his scattered 
fragments would become hopelessly fugitive, or one by one fall 
easy prey to vastly superior numbers. There is good reason for 



OoRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. <il 



believing^ that even previously to the capture of Henry and Don- 
elson, and three months before the battle of Shiloh, (reneral Johns- 
ton had forseen the military sitnation which I have attempted to 
describe, and had even predicted that battle and its exact locality. 
Colonel P'rank Schaller, who commanded the 22nd Mississippi In- 
fantry, and than whom no more intelligent and reliable officer nor 
honorable gentleman served the Confederacy, has written this sin- 
gular and interesting statement ot a conversation which occurred 
at General Johnston's headquarters, at Bowling Green, in January, 
1862, between Generals Johnston and Bowen and himself: 

" ' The ensrineers who had been ordered bv General A. S. 
Johnston to survey the course of the Tennessee River as far as 
Florence, Ala., where its navigation is impeded, had completed, 
their labors and submitted a fine military map to the General com- 
manding. In front of this map the General and Colonel Bowen 
were standing, the former giving evidently an explanation of its 
military position. In the course of their conversation General 
Johnston directed Colonel Bowen's attention to a position on the 
map which had been marked by the engineers ' Shiloh Church, ' 
and, concluding his remarks, he laid his finger upon this spot and 
quietlv but impressively pronounced the following words, or words 
to this effect : Here the great battle of the southwest will be 
fought. ' 

" Colonel Tate, of Memphis, relates a conversation which 
clearly shows that his purpose was formed by General Johnston at 
an earlv date. He savs : ' As soon after the fall of Donelson as 
practicable I repaired to General A. S. Johnston's headquarters to 
confer with him as to his future probable w^ants in railroad trans- 
portation, my appointjnent on his staff having been made, as he 
informed me, principally with reference to this branch of duty. I 
met him at Murfeesboro, where he had arrived the day previous. I 
well remember our interview, which began by my frankly avow- 
ing no wish to inquire into his future plans, but that I thought it 
my duty, under the changed state of the campaign since I had 



62 HISTORICAL vSKETCH OF THE 

seen him, to learn as far as he thought proper to inform me, what 
provision he desired me to make, if any, in my transportation de- 
partment, for the use of his army. ' He replied : ' I have no de- 
sire to conceal my plans from you. It is my purpose to concen. 
trate all the troops which the government will permit at Corinth, 
and there, or in that vicinity, fight a decisive battle as soon as 
possible. ' 

" There can be no doubt, therefore, that his evacuation of 
Nashville immediately after that of Bowling Green, and the pros- 
ecution of his rapid retreating march until, withdrawing every 
armed man from Tennessee, he had gotten his army, with a celer- 
ity astonishing when the circumstances are considered, to Corinth, 
was in pursuance of a plan carefully thought out weeks or months 
before the emergency actually arrived. On the 27th of February 
he wrote to Mr. Benjamin, the Confederate Secretary of War, that 
he was about to move for the defense of the Mississippi Valley, 
and for that purpose would cross the Tennessee River near Deca- 
tur and effect a junction between the forces of which he was in im- 
mediate command and those under General Beauregard at Colum- 
bus and Jackson, March 7th, his chief of stafT telegraphed 
General Beauregard : ' The General understands that detachments 
for his army are coming east. Will you order none to pass the 
line of road running to Corinth? ' 

" Columbus was evacuated March 2nd, and its garrison and all 
the troops under General Beauregard's command were at once direct- 
ed to Corinth. Thither General Bragg was also ordered with the 
troops which he had collected and organized at Pensacola, Mobile, 
and New Orleans. He arrived shortly after the evacuation of Co- 
lumbus. Price and Van Dorn were also called from Missouri, but 
only one regiment of these trans-Mississippi levies reached the the- 
atre of war in time to take part in the battle for which these prep- 
arations were being made. On the 25th of March the concentra- 
tion of the Confederated forces was completed, and their command- 
er resolved to assume the immediate offensive, concious that he 



53rd OHIO VOI.UNTEKK INFANTRY. 63 

cotild hope little further acession of strength from delay, while 
cver\- day would add largely to the nuuiber of his enemy. While 
these movements were in proofre.ss on the part of the Confederates, 
General Halleck, who had been placed in command of all the Fed- 
eral armies in the west, appears to have been in doubt, and there- 
fore indicisive and dilatory. With a g-eneral purpose of ag^gressive 
operations, he seems to have halted between various opinions, and 
to have been reluctant to commit himself to any definite or positive 
plan. It can scarcely be doubted that had he resolved instantly 
upon the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, and the opening of the 
Tennessee, to strike at Corinth, he could have done so successfully. 
F'ort Donelson fell about the middle of February. Henry had 
been taken some days previously. General Badeau, speaking of 
the capture of Donelson, and the forces engaged there, says : ' On 
the last day of the fight Grant had 27,000 men, whom he could 
have put into battle ; some few regiments of these were not engag- 
ed. Other re-inforcements arrived on the 1 6th after the surrender, 
swelling his numbers still further. ' 

" The entire fleet of gunboats and transports was free to be 
employed on either river, and both were open and safe. General 
Halleck had at his disposal other troops which could have been 
immediately united with those already with General Grant, making 
the latter's column fully 50,000 strong. It does not appear that 
there was any difficulty on the score of supplies, or that these forc- 
es could not have been moved then as easily and convenienth- as 
three weeks later. If Halleck had appreciated the situation as in- 
stinctively and thoroughly as Johnston did, the battle of Shiloh 
would never have been fought ; the delivery of battle on a grand 
scale would have been rendered impossible to the Confederates of 
the west, and the greater portion of the territory included in 
Johnston's department would have been promptly reduced to sub- 
mission or, if resistance had continued, it would have been not reg- 
ular and organized, but a guerrilla warfare. A glance at the map 
will show the reader that from Fort Henry — only some twelve 



64 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

miles distant from Donelson — the Federal forces had a direct water 
route to Pittsburg Landing, only thirty miles from Corinth, shorter 
by more than one-half than the distance which Johnston was com- 
pelled to march by land, in order to reach the same objective point. 
Morever his line of march was necessarily circuitous, and Buell, had 
that General been instructed to press him vigorously, might possi- 
bly have intercepted him at Decatur with an army superior in 
numbers and material. A.t any rate it may be confidently asserted 
that a rapid and determined movement for the seizure of Corinth, 
inaugurated on the 18th of February with the troops which Gen- 
eral Halleck had readily available for any service upon which he 
might choose to employ them, must have succeeded. General 
Johnston could not possibly have reached Corinth in time to meet 
it, and General Beauregard was numerically too weak to have op- 
posed or even temporarily delayed it. 

" But instead of one vigorous and resolute operation, conduct- 
ed with his collected, concentrated strength, Halleck projected two 
partial movements, and actually directed a feeble and incomplete 
execution of that one which promised the more important results. 
On the 18th of February he sent Pope against New Madrid with 
eight divisions, aggregating probably not less than 25,000 men. 
This was the sheerest waste of time and effort, for Corinth in his 
possession. New Madrid, Memphis, and every point of like situa- 
tion would have fallen into his hands as a matter of course ; if not 
evacuated, their capture would have been certain and easy. It 
was not until the 10th of March that Grant's column was pushed 
up the Tennessee, and on the 13th the four divisions were assem- 
bled at Savannah, seven miles below Pittsburg Landing. But the 
instructions given General Grant by Halleck were more like those 
intended to prescribe the work of a cavalry raid, than to direct an 
army in a great and decisive operation. He said : ' The main ob- 
ject of this expedition will be to destroy the railroad bridge over 
Bear Creek, near Eastport, Mississippi, and also the connections at 
Corinth, Jackson, and Humboldt. It is thought best that these 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 65 



objects be attempted in the order named. vStrono^ detachments of 
cavalry and bolit artillery, supported by infantry, may by rapid 
movements reach these points from the river without very serious 
opposition. Avoid any general engagements with strong forces. 
U will be better to retreat than to risk a general battle. This 
should be strongly impressed upon the officers sent with the expe- 
dition to the river. General C. V\ vSmith, or some very discreet 
officer, should be selected for such commands. Having accomp- 
lished these ol)jects, or such of them as may be practicable, you 
will return to Danville and move on Paris. ' 

" There may have been sound military reasons why such a 
programme was safer and surer of successful fruit, than the estab- 
ishment of the strongest Federal army which could have been col- 
lected dt Corinth, which should not have avoided battle with the 
scattered Confederate fragments, but should have improved every 
opportunity to strike them. Possibly the difficulty of supplying 
such a force from the river may have been deemed a grave one, 
and, with similar objections, may have prevented its serious con- 
sideration ; but General Johnston feared just such an occupation of 
Corinth, when he strained every nerve to reach that point before a 
general concentration of all the Federal masses should suggest and, 
in a measure, compel the movement in spite of the seeming diffi- 
culty. 

''Colonel William P. Johnston, in his excellent biography of 
his father, has carefully compared all the data, and has written an 
elaborate and very able narrative of this campaign. He says, in 
relation to the question I have been discussing : 

" ' Halleck's ultimate objective point was Memphis, which he 
expected to reach by forcing a column down the Mississippi, and 
the movement up the Tennessee was, at first, only subsidiary. It 
was meant to cut the communication from Memphis east, and to 
prevent re-inforcements to the Confederates on the ^Mississippi. 
Afterward when the concentration at Corinth was i^eported to him, 
with wonderful exaggeration of the Confederate strength — 100,000 



66 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



to 200,000 men-he determined to mass Buell and Grant against the 
army at that point, and Bnell was ordered, March 15th, to nnite 
his forces with Grant's, a movement previonsly snggested to him. ' 

" But events were controlled, and the strategic situation de- 
termined, by a law as certain and irresistible as that of gravitation, 
and in the latter part of March, 1862, two great armies were mas- 
sed in this vicinity — the one to assail, the other to protect the vi- 
tally important system of communication, of which Corinth was 
the key. 

" The ground upon which the battle of Shiloh was fought is 
situated upon the south bank of the Tennessee river, and is in- 
closed between two small streams, tributaries of the Tennessee, 
which, rising in the swampy region between Corinth and that riv- 
er, flow nearly parallel to each other in a north-easterly direction. 
The names of these two little muddy affluents of the Tennessee, 
Owl Creek and Lick Creek, have become historic, for along their 
banks came the impetuous Confederate attack, between them 
stretched the stubborn Union line, when, after its first recoil from 
the unexpected rush of its foe, it settled down to its work of tena- 
cious resistance ; within the limited area which their sluggish wa- 
ters define was fought out one of the fiercest, and, for the numbers 
engaged, bloodiest struggles of modern warfare — that marvelous 
combat wherein two newly levied and untrained armies delivered 
or sustained an energetic and unintermitted conflict of two days ; 
in which raw recruits as yet scarcely initiated in the usages of the 
camp and totally inexperienced in the ordeal of battle, strove with 
the unflinching constancy of veterans accustomed to victory and a 
spirited, bitter combativeness, almost exceptional. 

"These creeks are about three miles apart at the point where 
the battle commenced, the distance between them widening as 
they approach the river to some five or five and a half miles. Lick 
Creek, upon which the Confederate right rested, flows from this 
point in an almost direct and undeviating course to the river, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 67 



while Owl Creek trends suddenly • and sharply northward. The 
Tennessee river making an abrupt bend some four or five miles 
above Pittsburg Landing, and perhaps two above the mouth of 
Lick Creek, flows almost due north for eight or ten miles. Shiloh 
Church, from which the battle took its name, is about two and a 
half miles west of Pittsburg Landing, and nearly equidistant from 
the two creeks. 

'' The ground thus included between the two small streams, 
so often mentioned, and the river, is a plateau elevated some eigh- 
ty or one hundred feet above the immediately surrounding country. 
The Federal army was assembled here, consisting of the six divis- 
ions of Sherman, . Hurlburt, Lew. Wallace, W. H. L. Wallace, 
Prentiss, and McClernand. It was commanded by General Grant, 
whose headquarters were at Savannah. The strength of this army, 
like that of its antagonist, has been variously estimated. General 
Sherman in his Memoirs states that the five divisions actually en- 
gaged, exclusive of Lew. Wallace's, 'aggregated about 32,000 
men. ' He furnished no field return, however, even of his own di- 
vision, and his estimate must, therefore, be taken as merely con- 
jectural. 

" General Buell has estimated its numbers at 60,000, an ag- 
gregate of all arms and of the sick and detailed men, as well as the 
effective file. But the best and most accurate data, furnished by 
the reports filed in the office of the Secretary of War, indicate that 
General Grant commanded, at the date of Shiloh, 49,314 men, 
present and fit for duty, from which, to arrive at the numbers 
which actually participated in the first day's fighting, must be de- 
ducted the division of General Lew. Wallace, fully 8,000 strong. 
It will be shown that the attacking Confederate forces numbered but 
a few hundred less than 40,000 men ; so that on the first day of 
Shiloh the contending armies were very nearly equal in numerical 
strength. 

" General Johnston arrived in person at Corinth on the 24th 
of March, and immediately applied himself to preparation, not for 



68 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



defensive operations, but for attack. To assail Grant first, Bnell 
afterward, beating both in detail, was the plan, to accomplish which 
he bent every energy of a strong will and commanding, resourceful 
intellect. He had resolved to turn his retreat into an advance ; 
and, his concentration successfully effected, he had ' wisely deter- 
mined, ' said General Bragg, commenting subsequently upon his 
policy, although ' against the advice of some of his best and ablest 
commanders, to assume the aggressive, and there risk his own fate 
and that of the cause he sustained. ' 

" He had quite accurate information of the Federal move- 
ments, and a very fair idea of the strength of the forces, at Pitts- 
burg Landing. He knew that Buell was approaching with an ar- 
my nearly as large as that of Grant. Although Buell brought to 
Shiloh less than 30,000 men, he had commenced his march from 
Nashville, on the 15th of March, with a much stronger column, re- 
duced to the figure just given by detachments, the most important 
of which was one of 18,000 men, dispatched under General Mitch- 
ell to threaten Florence. Despite his lively appreciation of the 
value of time, and necessity of prompt action in order to anticipate 
Buell's arrival and strike the blow he meditated against Grant be- 
fore the latter's strength was doubled by the coming re-inforce- 
ments, Johnston was compelled to give nearly ten days to the 
organization of his army, hastily assembled as it was from so many 
quarters ; nor could he venture to move until its equipment and 
armament had been carefully revised, and the absolutely necessary 
transportation provided. It may be remarked here that the ex- 
pression so often used about the troops of both these armies, that 
they were ' raw ' and inexperienced men, is true in the fullest and 
most literal sense. Very few of them had ever been under fire, 
and those who could boast that record doubtless were afterward 
inclined to think that such combats as Belmont and Donelson were 
scarcely antitypes of Shiloh. Many of them had been furnished 
their arms only a few weeks previously to the date of the battle, 
and while all of the regimental organizations had received some 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 69 



instruction and drill, perhaps none had reached any marked de- 
o-ree of proficiency. But they possessed natural qualities which 
larw^ely compensated for this deficiency in matters even so important. 
They were all of that breed of born soldiers — the early volunteers 
— who rushed to the field long before the draft or the conscription 
had been thought of — the flower and expectancy of the population 
of both sections. Discipline and veteranship were yet to render 
these blue clad and gray jacketed ranks well nigh invincible, but 
even at this period of callow soldiership their high spirit, native 
courage, and untaught prowess made them ready, rapid, and for- 
midable combatants. 

" Although Buell had marched very rapidly for some two 
weeks after he started from Nashville, he was not urged to unus- 
ual activity as he neared the scene of impending conflict, and, in- 
deed received instructions from General Halleck calculated to in- 
duce the impression that General Grant was in no danger of at- 
tack, and to delay rather than hasten his arrival. 

" Colonel Johnston, speaking of the period occupied by his 
father at Corinth in the preparation for the dash upon Grant, says : 
' It was known that Buell was advancing, and the time taken for 
reorganization and armament had to be measured by his move- 
ments. If these would permit it ; a little time would make the 
Confederate army, re-inforced by Van Dorn, compact and terrible. 
If, however, he pressed on, the blow must be struck without wait- 
ing for Van Dorn. The attack was ordered within two hours af- 
ter Buell's advance was reported. ' 

" On the 3rd of April orders were issued to the Confederate 
corps commanders to hold their men ready to march at a moment's 
notice with five days' rations and 100 rounds of ammunition. In 
the afternoon of that day the movement began. While the coun- 
try between Corinth and Pittsburg Landing is intersected and 
crossed by a multitude of roads, they are for the most part so small 
and rugged as to afford little convenience to marching columns ; 
and so constantly run into and merge with each other, as to render 



70 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



them, in a great measure, useless to facilitate rapidity and freedom 
of movement on the part of troops advancing by means of them. 
A heavy and continuous fall of rain about this time contributed to 
make them still worse, and they became, indeed, almost impassable 
to those in the rear. These disadvantages, combined with the in- 
experience of both men and officers, rendered the march much 
slower than was expected, and produced a delay which proved fa- 
tal toGeneral Johnston's plan. Hardee in command of the 3rd 
Corps, marched in advance by the Ridge road, known as the Bark 
road, after passing Mickey's. General Bragg with the 2nd Corps 
marched by the direct road to Pittsburg, passing through Monterey. 
One of the divisions composing General Polk's corps ( the 1st ) was 
instructed to follow Hardee on the Ridge road at a short interval, 
but to halt at Mickey's, where the Monterey road intersects the Bark 
road, in order that Bragg's corps, when it reached Mickey's, might 
fall in immediately in the rear of Hardee's, as it was intended that 
it should form the second line of battle. The other division, un- 
der Cheatham, had been on outpost duty on the Mobile & Ohio 
Railroad, at a point about fifteen miles from Mickey's. He was 
ordered to be in position as the left wing of Polk's corps (the third 
line of battle ) on the morning of the 5th. The reserve, consisting 
of three brigades under Breckenridge, was ordered to move from 
Burnsville at 3 a. m., April 4th, and march through Monterey to 
Mickey's. This position known as ' Mickey's ' was, as it will be 
seen, the point of concentration. It is about seven miles from the 
river, and General Johnston intended that his entire strength 
should be arrayed there by 3 or 4 a. m. on the morning of the 5th, 
and should instantly move to the attack. He thus hoped to com- 
mence the battle at least two days before the arrival of Buell. 

" The terrible condition of the roads, however, certain misap- 
prehension of orders, and the inevitable confusion attendant upon 
the first movement in mass of a raw army, just organized into di- 
visions and corps, cost his precious time. Two corps and part of 
another were on the ground assigned them by 9 a. m. of the 5th, 



o3RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 71 

but all had not come up aud the Hues were not formed until 4 p. 
m., too late to begin the battle on that day. 

" The plateau upon which the Federal army was encamped 
furnished a position of great defensive strength. Confederate and 
Federal writers who have written of the battle concur in describ- 
ing it as in effect a ' natural fortification ' quite difficult of assault. 
The ground which the Confederates had necessarily to cross before 
grappling with their enemy was broken and rugged. Ravines, 
caused by the drainage into the respective creeks, were frequent 
and not easy of passage, and with the numerous dense thickets 
which covered the whole front of the position, and the boggy nature 
of the soil at many points, afforded protection to those receiving, 
and presented arduous obstacles to the troops making, the attack. 
That attack was received by the five divisions of General Grant's 
army, which fought on the first day of Shiloh, very nearly upon 
the line occupied by their outermost encampment, and not in the 
order in which they would have been arrayed had it been antici- 
pated. The accident of position — even the disposition of the tents 
— the condition in which they were found, determined the charac- 
ter of their first formation, and at least one or two hot hours of 
battle had passed before they were reduced to any systematic tac- 
tical arrangement. 

" The locations selected for the encampment of the troops 
were so chosen more with a view to convenience and comfort, ap- 
parently, than with regard to their tactical value. This was in 
nowise to be censured, for if a position had been definitely deter- 
mined upon, whereon the army should be aligned at the first indi- 
cation of danger, the precaution would have been sufficient. But 
the lack of such method and the peculiar disposition of the camps, 
not only separated by wide intervals but scattered very much at 
random, may be accepted as evidences that the Federal command- 
ers at no time contemplated the probability of an attack, and 
deemed no provision for such a contingency necessary. General 
Sherman's division was stationed furthest from the river. Three 



72 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

of his brigades, commanded by Colonels McDowell, Bnckland, and 
Hildebrand, occupied the exterior or western limit of the plateau. 
McDowell, guarding the bridge on the Purdy road over Owl Creek, 
was somewhat retired, his front describing an obtuse angle with 
that of Buckland, who came next in the line to the left. Upon 
Buckland's left was Hildebrand ; the interval between their ap- 
proximate flanks was a short distance in advance of Shiloh Church. 
Sherman's remaining brigade, commanded by Colonel Stuart, 
was posted on the extreme right of the field, guarding the ford 
over Lick Creek. This brigade was fully a mile distant from Hil- 
debrand's left flank, and was fronted southeast. The interval was 
filled by Prentiss' division, which was thus inserted, as it were, in- 
to Sherman's line, and constituted the center of the line of battle. 
The formation thus presented was extremely ragged and defective- 
A wide interval separated Prentiss from Hildebrand, the latter be. 
ing considerably in advance, and partially masking the right flank 
of the former, Stuart, as has been said, was faced at right angles 
to the rest of the line, and was, morever, too far in the rear to ren- 
der prompt and adequate support to Prentiss against a sudden and 
energetic attack. Of course, these defects could have all been 
readily remedied, in the face of an enemy approaching cautiously, 
but the Confederate advance was as swift and headlong as an ava- 
lanche, and came with as little precaution. McClernand's divis- 
ion lay half or three-quarters of a mile in the rear of Sherman's 
three brigades on the right ; Hurlburt and W. H. L. Wallace were 
fully two miles in the rear. 

" The division of General Lew. Wallace was at Crump's Land- 
ing, some miles north of the battle ground, and, as has already 
been stated, took no part in the first day's fighting. 

" The question in connection with this battle which now 
seems to excite most interest and elicit most frequent discussion is 
that of the surprise of the Federal army there, which has been very 
constantly alleged, was at that time and for many years after spok- 
en of as a fact conceded by every one on both sides, and was not, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 73 



until of comparatively recent date denied. General vSherman 
grows annually stronger in his conviction that the original and 
universal impression on this head was erroneous, and at every suc- 
cessive army reunion waxes more indignant that any one shall 
charge, or even credit such a thing. Inasmuch as the general held 
the most advanced position, and was doing the outpost duty of the 
army — if any such duty can be said to have been done at all — and 
was the ranking officer of those immediately upon the ground, it 
may be that he feels that the responsibility for the surprise, if there 
was one, rests peculiarly upon him. 

" I have already ventured the opinion that the disposition of 
the troops encamped in front of Pittsburgh Landing would have 
been altered, and the general formation been made more regular 
and compact, had a Confederate advance and attack been contem- 
plated. Lew. Wallace would scarcely have been allowed to remain 
so far away with 8,000 men if a feeling of security had not pre- 
vailed with those who controlled his movements. Indeed, when 
Cheatham assembled his division at Purdy to march it to Mickey's, 
where it rejoined the main body of the Confederate forces, Wallace 
so little suspected the true meaning of the movement that he be- 
lieved it to be preliminary to an attack upon himself. Nor would 
the leading divisions of Buell's column have been delayed at 
Savannah if battle had been anticipated at Pittsburgh. General 
Grant emphatically enough urged them to haste, on the morning 
of the 0th, when he was disturbed at breakfast by the roar of artil- 
lery at Shiloh. 

" If General Grant was ignorant of Johnston's forward and 
aggressive movement until the blow fell, it argues that his subor- 
dinates, nearer the front, were also ignorant of it, for any informa- 
tion procured by them would have instantly been forwarded to 
him. If General Grant knew Johnston was advancing and meant 
to give battle, how came he to be at Savannah on Saturday night, 
and not on the front, where before and atter this battle, he was 
accustomed to be, and where General Sherman, who, in this re- 



74 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

spect, practiced what he preached, says that a Commander in Chief 
should ever be when battle is imminent? Above all, it is incon- 
ceivable and inexplicable, if the Federal Commander realized the 
danger and actually expected attack, why a strong, continuous 
line of pickets was not thrown out, some hundreds of yards at 
least, beyond the ordinary camp guards, and extended along the 
entire front of the army, not merely in front of Prentiss' division, 
a precaution that officer seems to have taken without suggestion 
from or conference with any other ; and it is difficult to understand 
why a part of each division on the front was not made to bivouac 
on their arms during the nights of the 4th and 5th, and held ready 
to support the pickets. Two corps of Johnston's army reached 
Mickey's on the 4th ; the entire army was assembled there on the 
evening of the 5th, with strong picket lines well advanced. For 
two days, then, before the battle, the forest immediately in front 
of the Federal position, and less than four miles distant from Sher- 
man's encampment, was thronged with the Confederate battalions. 

" The Confederate order of attack was arrayed on the after- 
noon of the 5th, and, speaking from a recollection of what I wit- 
nessed myself, I would say that the Confederate outpost videttes 
and the most advanced Federal sentinels were not more than a 
mile apart. Everything that transpired along the front and in 
the camps which we were able to observe was matter of constant 
and curious remark during those two days. If any recognition of 
our presence was obtained, it could be discovered by no sign, noted 
by no movement of preparation in that seemingly careless host. 
A general feeling of amazement pervaded the Confederate ranks at 
the apathy or ignorance of their adversary ; and much of the im- 
petuous confidence which characterized them on the morning of 
the battle was due to the indications which convinced them that 
they had surprised their foe. 

" It is true that so skillful and wary a captain as General 
Beauregard believed, on the night of the 5th, that the attempt to 
effect a surprise would fail, on account of the delay of twenty-four 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 75 



hours, which has been mentioned, and for that reason counseled 
an abandonment of the plan, and a return to Corinth. But he was 
of the opinion that our presence had been discovered by the enemy, 
simph because he could not conceive it possible that it could be 
concealed, when ordinary vigilance must have detected it. 

" General Sherman, in his Memoirs, page 229, says : ' From 
about the 1st of April we were conscious that the rebel cavalry in 
our front were getting bolder and more saucy, and on Friday, the 
4th of April, it dashed down and carried off one of our picket 
guards, composed of an officer and seven men, posted a couple of 
miles out on the Corinth road. Colonel Buckland sent a company 
to its relief, then followed himself with a regiment, and, fearing 
lest he might be worsted, I called out his whole brigade, and fol- 
lowed some four or five miles, when the cavalry in advance en- 
countered artillery. Thus far we had not positively detected the 
presence of infantry.' 

" Now, it is certain that General Sherman is mistaken in re- 
gard to the distance to which this reconnoissance was pushed, for 
if he had ' followed ' four, not to say five miles, he would have got- 
ten beyond Mickey's, and he would assuredly have ' positively 
detected the presence of infantry, ' unless Hardee's corps and that 
portion of Bragg's then there, had proven unsubstantial myths — 
something he did not find them when, two days after, they had 
advanced four miles. 

" In his report of this affair, written on the 5th, he states that 
he ordered Major Ricker, of the 5th Ohio Cavalry, to pursue the 
party which had made a dash on the pickets. ' He rapidly ad- 
vanced some two miles, and found them engaged, charged the en- 
emy, and drove them along the Ridge road, till he met and re- 
ceived three discharges of artillery, when he very properly wheeled 
under cover and returned until he met me. As soon as I heard 
artillery I advanced with two regiments of infantry and took posi- 
tion, and remained until the scattered companies of infantry and 
cavalry returned. This was after night. ' 



76 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

" Now, it can scarcely be inferred from this language that 
Major Ricker, and certainly not that General Sherman, pressed out 
so far as ' four or five miles. ' But in the same report, still speak- 
ing of this Confederate cavalry dash, and speculating as to its 
meaning, he says : I infer that the enemy is in some considerable 
force at Pea Ridge ; that yesterday morning they crossed a brigade 
of two regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and one bat- 
tery of field artillery, to the ridge on which the Corinth road lies. 
They halted the infantry and artillery at a point about five miles 
in my front, and sent a detachment to the lane of General Meaks, 
on the north side of Owl Creek, and the cavalry toward our 
camp ' 

"It is impossible to deduce any other conclusion from this re 
port, which, it must be remembered was written and sent to Gen- 
eral Grant's Adjutant General on the day before the battle, than 
that General Sherman was in total ignorance of his enemy's im- 
portant and threatening concentration at Mickey's — that he knew 
nothing of the Confederate masses immediately in his front, grad- 
ually pushing nearer as they formed for the fight, and that he al- 
together misapprehended the significance of the ' saucy ' demons- 
trations which he describes 

•' General Sherman is credited with having said recently that 
the stories so frequent at the time of the battle, of men having 
been shot or bayoneted in their tents on the morning of the 6th, 
were utterly without foundation. He is mistaken. Very many 
such instances occurred. It was quite a common thing to see dead 
men, half clad, lying in tents perforated with bullets, and, in some 
cases, stretched at the entrance, or entangled in the tent cords as 
if killed just as they were rushing out. If the Federal army at 
Shiloh was not so completely surprised as so large a body of men 
can ever be, then its commanders have a more serious charge to 
meet. If they were not taken unawares, how can they possibly 
explain the disadvantage at which they suffered themselves to be 
taken? What possible excuse can they offer for their careless 
array and evident want of preparation for immediate battle ? 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 77 



" On the evening of the 5th the Confederate army was, as has 
been already stated, arrayed in the order in which it was to com- 
mence the engagement, and the men slept that night on their 
arms, and in line. The first line of battle, nnder Hardee, extended 
from Owl Creek to Lick Creek, having a front of a little more 
than three miles. Hardee's own command nnmbered 6,7H9 effec- 
tives, and Gladden's brigade, detached from , Bragg, was added to 
his line, making its total effective strength 9,024. The second . 
line was commanded by General Bragg. It was 10,731 strong, 
and was formed from 300 to 500 yards in the rear of the first line. 
The third line was composed of Polk's corps and the three brigades 
commanded by Breckenridge. Polk was massed in colnmns of 
brigades on the Bark road, abont -SOO yards in the rear of Bragg ; 
Breckenridge was formed on his right. It was intended that Polk 
shonld snpport the two lines in his front, and take up the fighting 
when they began to weary or falter. Breckenridge was to be used 
as a reserve. Polk's corps was 9,13(i strong; Breckenridge's re- 
serve numbered 6,439. The Confederate army, therefore, stood in 
order of battle 35,320 men, infantry and artillery, to which 4,300 
cavalry, watching its flanks, being added, foots up an aggregate 
strength of 39,630. It. carried into action some fifty guns. 

'' To meet the impact of this force, there were irregularly dis- 
posed about the ground from Pittsburgh to Shiloh Church, accord- 
ing to the estimate herein previously made, some 41,000 men, 
with eighty-four guns. 

" I have already mentioned the fact that while Lick Creek, 
on which rested the Confederate right, flows from the point where 
the first Confederate line was formed, with a very slight northerly 
inclination, almost straight to the river. Owl Creek bends abruptly 
to the northward. This should be born in mind, because it had 
much to do with General Johnston's plan of attack and conduct of the 
battle. The Comte de Paris is of the opinion that General Johnston 
should have massed his army on the Federal right, and turning 
that flank, have driven it up the river into the angle between 



78 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Lick Creek and the river. It is a matter of astonishment that so 
intelligent and competent a military critic shonld entertain this 
view. By massing on the Federal left and pivoting on his own left 
flank, Johnston kept both his flanks well protected. Turning and 
driving back the left wing of his enemy, his right was guarded all 
the time by the vicinity of Lick Creek, until, when he began to 
bear away from that stream, it was afforded the better protection 
of the river to which his right then approached. If, on the con- 
trary, he had pivoted on his right and massed on the Federal left, 
his left wing, as it swung around in the execution of the movement 
which the Comte de Paris thinks he should have attempted, 
would have receded rapidly down Owl Creek, very soon leaving a 
wide interval between his left and that stream, into which the 
troops, which General Johnston had every reason to believe were 
stationed nearest to Pittsburg Landing, might be poured, danger- 
ously threatening his rear, and effectually checking the pocketing 
business suggested. W. H. L. Wallace's division, lying along the 
road to Crump's Landing, was, in fact, exactly in the position 
which would naturally and most certainly have brought him upon 
Johnston's left flank and rear had the latter attempted this ma- 
neuver. 

" I may be pardoned for reproducing here a description of the 
beginning of the battle, which I wrote many years ago, when it? 
picture was fresher in my memory, although its details, perhaps, 
not so familiar to me as now. : 

" 'The afternoon wore away, and no sign in the enemy's 
camps indicated that he had discovered our presence. The night 
fell, and the stern preparations for the morrow having been all 
completed, the army sank to rest. The forest was soon almost as 
still as before it had been tenanted with the hosts of war. But 
before the day broke the army was astir ; the bugles pounded the 
reveille on all sides, and the long lines began to form. About 5 
o'clock the first gun rang on the front — another and another suc- 
ceeding until the musketry grew into that crackling, labored sound 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEKR INFANTRY. 7!> 



which precedes the roar of real battle. The troops seemed excited 
to frenzy by the sound. It was the first fij^^ht in which the majori- 
ty of them had ever been engag-ed, and they had as yet seen and 
sufifered nothing to abate the ardor with which the high spirited 
young fellows panted for battle. Every one who witnessed the 
marshaling of the Confederate army for the attack upon the morn- 
ing of the ()th of April, must remember more distinctly than any- 
thing else the glowing enthusiasm of the men their buoyancy and 
spirited impatience to close with the enemy. As each regiment 
formed upon the ground where it had bivouacked, the voice of its 
commander might be heard as he spoke high words of encourage- 
ment to his men and it would ring clear as he appealed to their 
regimental pride, and bade them think of the fame they might 
win. When the line began to advance, the wild cheers which 
arose made the woods stir as if with the rush of a mighty wind. 
Nowhere was there any thought of fear — everywhere were there 
evidences of impetuous and determined valor. 

" For some distance the woods were open and clear of under- 
growth, and the troops passed through preserving their array with 
little difficulty ; but as the point, where the fight between the 
pickets had commenced, was neared, the timber became dwarfed 
into scrubby brush, and at some places dense thickets impeded the 
advance. The ground, too, grew rugged and difficult of passage 
in unbroken line. The gray, clear morning was ere long enlivened 
by a radiant sunrise. As the great light burst in full splendor 
above the horizon, sending brilliancy over the scene, many a man 
thought of the great conqueror's augury, and pointed in exultation 
and hope to the 'sun of Shiloh.' Breckenridge's division went 
into the fight last, and, of course, saw and heard a great deal of it 
before becoming itself actively engaged. Not far off the fight soon 
grew earnest, as Hardee dashed resolutely on ; the uneasy, broken 
rattle of the skirmishers gave way to the sustained volleys of the 
lines, and the artillery joined in the clamor, while away on the 
right the voice of the strife grew hoarser and angrier like the 



80 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



growl of some wounded monster, furious and at bay. Hardee's 
line carried all before it. At the first encampment it met not the 
semblance of a check. Following close and eager on the fleeing 
pickets, it burst upon the startled inmates as they emerged, half 
clad, from the tents, giving them no time to form, driving them in 
rapid panic, bayoneting the dilatory on through the camps swept 
together, pursuers and pursued. 

" ' But now the alarm was thoroughly given, the ' long roll,' 
and the bugle were calling the Federals to arms ; ajl through their 
thick encampments they were hastily forming. As Hardee, close 
upon the haunches of the foe he had first started^ broke into 
another camp, a long line of steel and flame met him, staggering, 
and, for a little while, stopping his advance. But his gallant 
corps was yet too fresh for an enemy not recovered from the ener- 
vating effects of surprise to hold it back long. For a while it 
writhed and surged before the stern barrier suddenly erected in its 
path, and then, gathering itself together, dashed irresistibly for- 
ward. The enemy was beaten back, but the hardy western men 
who filled his ranks (although raw and for the first time under 
fire) could not be forced to positive flight. They had once formed, 
and at this stage of the battle they could not be routed. Soon 
they turned for another stand, and the Confederates were at once 
upon them. Again they gave way, but strewed the path of their 
stubborn retreat with many a corpse in gray as well as in blue. 

" ' At half past seven the first line began to show signs of ex- 
haustion, and its march over the rough ground while struggling 
with the enemy had thinned and impaired it. It was time for 
Bragg's corps to come to the relief, and that superb line now 
moved up in serried strength. The first sign of slackening on the 
part of the Confederates seemed to add vigor to the enemy's resist- 
ance ; but, bravely as they fought, they never recovered from the 
stun of the surprise. Their half of the battle was out of joint at 
the beginning, and it was never gotten right during the day. They 
were making desperate efforts ro retrieve their lost ground when 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 81 



Bragg's disciplined tornado burst upon them. The shock was met 
gallantly, but in vain. Another bloody grapple was followed by 
another retreat by the Federals, and again our line moved on. 

" ' General Johnston's plan of battle was to execute a grand 
wheel to the left with his entire army, his right rapidly advancing, 
his left more deliberately, and his heaviest blows delivered upon 
the Federal left and center. He thus hoped to overwhelm and 
completely drive back the Federal left, and eventually by success- 
ive, heavy and sustained attacks batter their whole line to pieces, 
and driving the fragments to the river's edge, compel their sur- 
render. Had the army been wheeled to the right, the danger of 
fatally exposing the left flank, already indicated, would have been 
incurred. If both flanks had been pressed forward abreast and 
kept close to the respective creeks, the front of the army would 
have been so greatly extended that its capacity for formidable and 
continuous advance would have been greatly impaired, no suffi- 
cient number of troops could have been massed upon any given 
point to certainly destroy and break through all resistance, audits 
center would have been so weakened that a determined counter 
attack might have pierced it, which would have resulted in com- 
plete and crushing defeat. In that event one-half would have been 
flung upon Owl Creek, the other upon Lick Creek, with the ene- 
my separating them and in possession of the line of retreat. But 
not only were these dangers avoided by the character of the move- 
ment adopted, but its tactical value became strikingly apparent in 
another respect. Owing to the peculiar disposition of Prentiss' 
division and Stuart's brigade, and the gaps which the irregular 
Federal alignment disclosed, the three line formation of the Con- 
federates enabled them, while giving each other sustained support, 
to also take every command successively in front and flank as they 
came swinging around from the right, and this was repeated until, 
under the fierce, bloody and continual assaults, the Federal army had 
become disintegrated and almost crumbled away, despite a resist- 
ance never surpassed in courage and firmness. 



82 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



"General Sherman in his report of the battle written April 10th, 
says : ' On Sunday morning, the 6th inst., the enemy drove our 
advance guard back on our main body, when I ordered under arms 
all my division, and sent word to General McClernand, asking him 
to support my left ; to General Prentiss, giving him notice that the 
enemy was in our front in force, and to General Hurlburt, asking 
him to support General Prentiss. ' This, he says, was at 7 a. m. 
He goes on to say : ' About 8 a. m. I saw the glistening bayonets 
of heavy masses of infantry to our left front in the woods beyond 
the small stream alluded to, ( this was a small, inarshy rivulet just 
in front of his position ) and became satisfied for the first time that 
the enemy designed a determined attack upon our whole camp. ' 
Yet he had sent word to Prentiss an hour earlier that the enemy 
was present in force. ' The battle opened by the enemy's battery 
in the woods to our front throwing shells into our camp. Taylor's 
and Waterhouse's batteries promptly responded, and I then ob- 
served heavy battalions of infantry passing obliquely to the left, 
across the open field in Appier's front ; also other columns advanc- 
ing directly upon my division. Our infantry and artillery opened 
along the whole line, and the battle became general. Other heavy 
masses of the enemy's force kept passing across the field to our 
left and directing their course on General Prentiss. ' The battle 
in reality commenced at 5 a. m., and, singularly, enough was in- 
augurated by the Federals. Prentiss, still excited about that 
' cavalry dash ' of the previous day, sent out early on Sunday morn- 
ing, the 6th, the 21st Missouri Regiment with instructions to re- 
connoiter and observe the Corinth road. Just at daybreak this 
regiment encountered Hardee's skirmishers advancing. It was, 
of course, instantly driven in and was closely pursued. Pickets 
and guards recoiled with it, and certainly Hardee was in the first 
camps long before 7 a. m., while at 8 a. m., the hour at which 
General Sherman states that he first became convinced that a gen- 
eral attack was intended, the battle had been wholly joined from 
wing to wing, and the entire field was one raging maelstrom of 
strife. The oblique movement of troops to the left, of which Gen- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 83 

eral Sherman speaks, was more apparent than real, and was in 
pnrsnance of the grand wheel of the Confederate army from its 
right, which brought it with such terrific impact upon the Federal 
left and center. While the left of Sherman's position escaped in a 
great measure the oncoming Confederate rush, it descended on 
Hildebrand in all its energy, and in a comparatively short time 
his brigade, says General Sherman, had substantially disappeared. 
It is due to that gallant officer to say that he remained, however, 
bravely seconding the exertions of his chief ; and it must be said, 
also that if General Sherman's conduct previous to the battle in 
anywise invites criticism, his bearing after it opened was invulner- 
able to all reproach. The furious torrent of attack poured down 
like some mountain stream swollen by a sudden storm, and over- 
flowing the lowlands. The rolling, ridgy flood, crusted with sheeny 
steel and preceded by a constant billow of fire, came roaring on like 
the plunging waves of an inundation. It overwhelmed Hilde- 
brand, streamed into the interval between him and Prentiss, sap- 
ping the flanks of both, and leaped with full, crushing force on 
Prentiss' front, striking it fairly from end to end, and whirling, as 
the tide whirls, beyond and around its left. The ' rebel yell ' rose 
wild and high from 10,000 throats ; a fiery confidence thrilled the 
heart of each man in the Confederate host, for with the quick in- 
stinct of American soldiers all perceived their advantage ; the 
spirit of battle was upon them, and the nerve and ardor of that 
magnificent onset was matchless save by the marvelous pluck and 
undaunted resolution with which it was received. 

" No courage, however, can overcome the ill effects of sur- 
prise, or supply lack of tactical preparation. It was impossible 
that the hastily arrayed and ragged Federal line, although the 
ground on which it was posted was well adapted for defense, could 
long withstand an assault so skillfully ordered and energetically 
directed. Under the persistent, furious hammering it was getting, 
Prentiss' division ere long began to shake ; gaps opened here and 
there, and at length it reeled back, stunned and bleeding, to rally 



84 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

between the divisions of Hurlbut and Wallace, then advancing, at 
Sherman's request, to furnish support most sorely needed. Here 
Prentiss was reenforced by two fresh regiments, and obtained a 
brief respite. Stuart's brigade, which had been posted on the ex- 
treme Federal left, watching the forces of Lick Creek, was aligned 
on Prentiss' left flank, about the time that he began falling back ; 
this brigade, reenforced by another sent forward by Wallace, main- 
tained itself for a short time, but was driven back until it formed 
on Hurlbut's left. In the meantime, three regiments were dis- 
patched in hot haste to Sherman's aid by McClernand, and de- 
ployed in the space whence Hildebrand's brigade had melted away. 
They arrived just in time to encounter the vigorous, electric dash 
of the two brigades under Hindman, which had already swept this 
part of the field, as with the besom of destruction. Hindman's 
martial ire, but half expressed on Hildebrand, was turned instantly 
on those who took his place. While these three regiments were 
gallantly struggling with the foe which had assailed them in front. 
Shaver's brigade burst in on their left flank, and they, too, were 
forced to recede. Instantly there was a concentration of all the 
Confederate troops which had pressed into the long interval left 
vacant by the giving back of Prentiss on McClernand. Blow after 
blow ; hard, quick and stinging, was delivered him on front and 
flank as the successive Confederate lines hurled their battalions 
forward, and in his turn McClernand took ground to the rear. 

'' While McDowell and Buckland's brigades of Sherman's 
division had not been fiercely assailed at the inception of the Con- 
federate advance, they very soon received their full share of atten- 
tion. The ground which they occupied, however, was, perhaps, 
altogether the strongest position on the line. Every demonstra- 
tion made against it was repulsed ; artillery was used in vain 
against it ; some of the best brigades of the army moved on it, only 
to be hurled back and strew the morass in its front with their 
dead. The Confederate loss at this point was frightful. At last, 
after having held the position from 7 or 7:30 a. m. until after 10 a. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 85 

m., everything upon its right having been driven back, and the 
Confederate artillery having reached a point where the guns could 
play upon its rear, it was abandoned as no longer tenable. The 
tenacious defense of this position, and the fact that, by massing on 
his own right, General Johnston turned it, when it proved impreg- 
nable to direct assault, ought to be of itself a sufficient explanation 
of the correctness of his plan of battle. Sherman falling back 
formed on McClernand's right, the same relative position he had 
previously held. 

"An entirely new line was now presented by the Federal 
forces, a mile, or nearly so, in rear of Shiloh Church. While one 
part of it was as formidable as the position so long successfully 
maintained by Sherman, its general strength was perhaps greater. 
It was formed on a series of low wooded ridges with steep and 
difficult ravines in its front, and was shorter and more regular and 
compact than the first. In shape, it was an obtuse angle. Stuart, 
still on the extreme left, closely approached the river, while Sher- 
man's right rested near Owl Creek. Here, after a short lull, the 
battle was renewed about half past ten, with, if possible, increased 
fury, and was waged with scarcely perceptible slackening for six 
hours. While the right and left wings were both gradually pushed 
back, the center, or apex of the angle which they formed, was im- 
movable. One terrible spot is thus described by Col. Johnston : 

" ' This position of the Federals was occupied by Wallace's 
division and perhaps by the remains of Prentiss' and other com- 
mands. Here, behind a dense thicket on the crest of a hill, was 
posted a strong body of as hardy troops as ever fought, almost per- 
fectly protected by the conformation of the ground and by logs 
and other rude and hastily prepared defenses. To assail it an open 
field had to be passed, enfiladed by the fire of the batteries. It was 
nicknamed by the Confederates, by a very mild metaphor, ' The 
Hornet's Nest.' No figure of speech would be too strong to ex- 
press the deadly peril of assault upon this natural fortress, whose 
inaccessible barriers blazed for six hours with sheets of flame, and 



86 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



whose infernal gates poured forth a murderous storm of shot and 
shell and musket fire which no living thing could quell or even 
withstand.' 

" The apex held by Wallace and Hurlburt was recognized by 
General Johnston as the key, not only to that position, but to the 
final Federal resistance, and when he witnessed its determined 
maintenance he knew that the crisis had arrived if he would de- 
stroy Grant that day, he must force that position long ere sunset. 
The only troops he had remaining which were at all fresh and had 
not yet been engaged were Breckenridge's reserves. The time had 
evidently come for their employment. They were ordered in, and 
one of the bloody combats of that day ensued. Two ridges about 
200 yards apart were occupied by the respective combatants. Upon 
one the Federals posted in two lines of battle swept the other and 
all the intervening space with their fire. On the other the bravest 
troops of the Confederate army stood for many minutes dropping 
under the murderous musketry, unwilling to retire and yet irreso- 
lute to advance. Breckenridge, Harris, and others of the best be- 
loved of the Confederate leaders, exposed themselves with reckless 
daring, but no answering cheer and springing charge came, as us- 
ual, at their bidding. 

" General Johnston realized that it was one of those moments 
when the commander must furnish an example of absolute indiffer- 
ence to death ; when the general must give way to the soldier ; 
when the thrilling, magnetic influence of the presence and person- 
al leadership of the chief must be used to achieve victory. He 
rode slowly out in front of, and then down the line. He was a 
man of wonderfully majestic and imposing presence. His tower- 
ing form caught all eyes at once, and his flashing glance and in- 
spiring gesture could be neither misunderstood nor resisted. In- 
stantly that hitherto hesitating line rushed forward and followed 
him with rapid feet. In vain the grim cannon sent their angry 
glut among them, and the withering infantry fire blazed in their 
faces. Their dead covered every step of the way, but they never 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 87 

paused or faltered. Right to the crest they went, wrested it from 
the foe, and that hard day's work was virtually done. The recoil 
of the Federals from this position was the signal for a general re- 
treat along their whole line, and they fell back to the ground im- 
mediately about the landing, only desultory fighting occurred dur- 
ing this retrograde movement. 

" It may be stated with little fear of contradiction that had 
the Confederate forces been gathered up for one more such concert- 
ed, sustained, and vigorous effort as any of those they had already 
made, General Grant's entire army would have succumbed under 
it and have been captured, or utterly dispersed. The almost con- 
current testimony of Federal writers, who have spoken of the con- 
dition of the army that evening, incontestably proves this. Had 
General Johnston survived, such another assault would certainly 
have been made. But just at the close of the decisive charge, 
which he led in person, he fell mortally wounded, and in a few 
minutes died. Let his son tell the disastrous incident. ' As Gen- 
eral Johnston, on horseback, sat there, knowing that he had 
crushed in the arch which had so long resisted the pressure of his 
forces, and waiting until they should collect sufficiently to give the 
final stroke, he received a mortal wound. It came in the moment 
of victory and triumph, from a flying foe. It smote him at the 
very instant when he felt the full conviction that the day was 
won. ' 

" I have intimated that the fighting after this date was not 
nearly so severe as previously ; that the Confederate advance was 
unchecked, and every successive stand made by the Federals was 
less stubbornly maintained. One exception, perhaps, must be 
made to this general remark, and a most important one. When it 
appeared that the army was about to be driven sheer back to the 
river, Wallace and Prentiss united the remnants of their respective 
commands for a last and heroic struggle to prevent it. They were 
at once pressed on all sides by assailants. Then Prentiss formed 
the gallant resolve to charge and drive back the attacking forces. 



88 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



But just at that moment an overwhelming rush swept Wallace's 
command away, killing that brave and devoted officer, and Pren- 
tiss, surrounded on all sides, was forced to surrender with more 
than 3,000 men. Of this division it has been said that it ' had 
received the first blow in the morning and made the last organized 
resistance in the evening.' 

" Prentiss surrendered about 5 p. m. The battle may be said 
to have then closed. The relics of the Federal army had placed 
themselves practically under the protection of gunboats, which 
commenced firing about that hour in the afternoon, and continued 
to do so until late in the night. 

" General Johnston fell at the very hour when the loss of the 
Commander in Chief can not be supplied ; that is to say, when the 
time has arrived to convert success into victory, and a weary army, 
partially disorganized by its very progress, must be compacted for 
the supreme and finishing stroke. General Beauregard, next in 
rank, could not, in the brief time allowed him, sufficiently famil- 
iarize himself with the situation to make the necessary dispositions 
and give the proper orders. So those last two hours of daylight, 
which might have been worth all the rest, were left unemployed. 
The desperate resistance of any army outgeneraled and surprised, 
and the caprice of fortune, had made of no avail a strategic and 
tactical skill which has seldom been equaled. 

" The rest of the story is well known and need not be told. 
That night Buell and Lew. Wallace arrived with 28,000 fresh 
troops. Morning saw this force, united with what was left of 
Grant's, confront 25,000 wearied Confederates, and the greater part 
of the lost ground was that day regained. 

" We cannot now even say whether Shiloh was lost or won. 
Both sides may, and do, claim it as a victory. But all may do 
just honor to the valor and devotion of the contending soldiery ; 
and a deathless memory will crown, like flowers on Decoration 
Day, the graves of the heroes who sleep there." 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 89 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THROUGH CORINTH TO MEMPHIS. 

Immediately following the battle of Pittsburg Landing, or 
upon April 8th, General Sherman with a part of his division start- 
ed from the old Shiloh Church, where Hildebrand's brigade had 
lain through the night, to pursue the retreating rebel army. At a 
point some four or five miles from Shiloh, on the road to Corinth, 
he came upon the rear of Beauregard's army, whose retreat was 
being protected by General Forest's cavalry. He ordered Colonel 
Hildebrand to move forward one regiment of his brigade. The 
77th Ohio, which was the advance regiment, attacked the rebel 
cavalry, deploying a large number of men as skirmishers. They 
had scarcely formed in line of battle and thrown out their skir- 
mishers when they were charged upon and ridden down by the 
cavalry. The 53rd Ohio, being the next regiment on the line of 
march, was ordered forward into the line of battle on the double- 
quick, which movement they made with great promptness, fixing 
bayonets as they came into line. They gallantly charged the rebel 
cavalry, driving it before them, rescuing many of the 77th Ohio 
who would otherwise have been carried off as prisoners. The 57th 
formed immediately on our left and helped to make complete the 
splendid achievement of the 53rd. We pursued the cavalry a 
short distance. 

On a large portion of the battle-field over which we fought 
the trees seemed to have been deadened, for the purpose of killing 
them to clear the ground for cultivation ; and many of them had 
fallen down and lay upon the ground, and that is why this partic- 
ular engagement is called the ' Battle of Fallen Timber. ' 



90 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

The 53rd, 57th, and the remnant of the 77th not killed, 
wounded or captured, followed Forest's cavalry some distance in 
the direction of Monterey, but night coming on the pursuit was 
abandoned. We retraced our march, and spent the night in our 
old camp, from which we had .been driven on the morning of the 
Gth. General Forest, the fearless rebel cavalry leader, was wound- 
ed in this action immediately in front of the 53rd regiment. 

General Sherman, who was with Hildebrand when the 77th 
was charged by Forest, would doubtless have been captured but 
for the prompt and heroic action of the 53rd. 

After some delay and doing routine duty, including burying 
the dead, caring for the wounded, and the like, we started April 
29th upon what has passed into history as the Seige of Corinth, 
Mississippi, under command of Major-General Halleck. General 
Grant was the superior officer but, for reasons best known to him- 
self, had little or no supervision of this campaign. Just prior to 
starting upon it, April, 1862, Colonel Jesse J. Appier was relieved 
from the command of the 53rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 
colonel returned to his home in Ohio. Major H. S. Cox was also 
relieved, but presumably on account of ill-health. 

Upon the same date, Captain Wells S. Jones, of Co. A, re- 
ceived notification of his appointment as Colonel, and Adjutant E. 
C. Dawes of his as Major; Lieutenant-Colonel Robert A. Fulton 
remaining in the same rank as at organization of regiment. Our 
brigade at this time was composed of the 53rd, 57th and 77th 
Ohio regiments, commanded by Colonel Jesse Hildebrand. Captain 
Jones had been recommended by a majority of the officers of his 
regiment for the promotion to Colonel. His notification of ap- 
pointment came to him under rather peculiar circumstances. He 
had been out as a captain in command of the regiment to support 
the skirmishers, and had remained on the skirmish line all night. 
In the morning it had rained, and General Morgan L. Smith came 
out with his brigade to relieve us. The men, after a rain, liked to 
fire their guns and clean them out. The 53rd was in line of battle 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 91 



in the works. The regiment was coming ont of the woods and 
was met by Colonel Jones. The men commenced to fire for the 
above reason. Colonel Cockerill and Jones were in command. 
General Smith asked Colonel Cockerill : " What regiment is that 
firing their guns in the woods, and who is in command ? " Colonel 
Cockerill said : " It is the 53rd, and it has no Colonel ; Captain 
Jones is in command." Captain Jones overheard this conversation 
and forgot that he was going to be a devout Methodist upon his 
return to Ohio if spared, and he too violated the fourth command- 
ment and made some not very complimentary remarks to both 
General Smith and Colonel Cockerill, and in all of which he was 
defending his own " boys." Captain Jones was somewhat surprised 
when he had cooled down, that he had not been placed under 
arrest. We camped at night in line of battle ready for an attack. 
An orderly rode up and said : " Captain Jones, General Sherman 
presents his compliments and desires to see you at Russell House 
immediately." Then it was that Captain Jones thought — some- 
thing, and remarked : " I am up against an arrest now." The 
Captain on the way over to Russell House met General Sherman, 
and he said : " I have a telegram appointing you Colonel of the 
53rd Ohio regiment, and congratulate you." The newly appointed 
Colonel was told to take command at once. He returned to the 
regiment agreeably surprised, and received the congratulations of 
both officers and men. 

It being the spring of the year, the rains and the frost had 
made the roads well nigh impassable, delaying our trains and sub- 
jecting us to hunger. We were frequently called into line of bat- 
tle and had to fight for nearly every mile of ground up to the cap- 
ture of Corinth. The first few days principally were consumed in 
the repair of roads and bridges, cutting timber and obstructing 
highways. Our regiment had at this time been reduced to 400 
men. 

Captain Galloway, in command of two companies, E and K, 
was ordered to Owl Creek, but under no circumstances to cross 



92 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



the creek. He and his command were annoyed by the enemy's 
picket line to such an extent that he felt constrained to return the 
fire, and what was intended for a picket fire, or at most a skirmish, 
almost resulted in an engagement. Oiders were received to re- 
treat in good order, and none too soon. 

" May 15th, 1862, we changed brigade commanders, Brigadier- 
General J. W. Denver assuming charge. Many of our boys were 
dying. Small hillocks were dotting this section of Mississippi. 
During the twenty-mile approach to Corinth we constructed eight 
or nine complete sets of fortifications. The last camp, or line of 
works, occupied prior to the evacuation of Corinth, on the morning 
of May 29th, General Sherman rode up, just before the break of 
day, and inquired if that was the 53rd Ohio. Colonel Jones re- 
sponded, but had on the insignia of captain. General Sherman, 
in his stern way, inquired : Colonel, why have you not colonel's 
straps on?" The Colonel answered: "I have no time to go 
after them." The General said : " I will send you a pair of mine." 
That day about noon an orderly rode up, and, with General Sher- 
man's compliments, presented a pair of colonel's shoulder straps. 
It is fair to presume, in the absence of any explanation to the con- 
trary, that the straps presented to the Colonel were those General 
Sherman wore at Bull Run, as he was a colonel at that time. 

The first line of battle commanded by Colonel Jones as a full- 
fledged colonel was on the 22nd of May, when nearing Corinth. 
It is fair to think that with the unpleasant Appier odor in his nos- 
trils he was a little bit nervous. Captain Starkey was in command 
of the skirmish line. Colonel Jones remarked to him and 
Major Dawes : "This regiment must go across this field." Then 
he remarked : ''I would rather be killed than have anything hap- 
pen. It must go across." The colonel rode at the head of the 
column and we went across in line of battle. During the charge 
we were met with a heavy artillery fire, and were ordered to halt. 
We had driven their battery and line of skirmishers back. The 
colonel gave the command to lie down and be protected. At this 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 93 

juncture of the battle a nameless officer saluted the colonel and 
asked to be granted permission to go to the rear, saying, "I am 
sick." He was met with an emphatic "No, it is no time to be sick. 
I will have you killed in fifteen minutes." 

After this particular charge and until the final muster out of 
the regiment, August, 1865, Colonel Jones upon more than one 
occasion remarked : "After that day at Corinth in crossing the 
field, I never had any solicitude about the regiment going any 
where. They always went willingly where commanded to go, and 
had all the courage needed, and did everything that could be asked 
of them." 

Captain Galloway had a queer experience here of having 
some one hand him a part of his company books which had fal- 
len into the hands of the enemy at the battle of Pittsburg Land- 
ing. 

On May 30th, 1862, we moved out of our line of fortifications 
and were soon in plain view of the enemy's works. It did not re- 
quire much time to ascertain that the "Johnnies" were in full re- 
treat, and had been for at least twenty-four hours. Our column 
was pushed on to Corinth and through the town, our banners fly- 
ing and bands playing. Buildings used for arsenals, stores, and 
military purposes were burned to the ground by the retreating foe. 
Corinth was of recent growth and of modern architecture. The 
wealthier people had taken a trip southward with the army and 
had left everything to the mercy of those remaining and to the 
Union army. The day was exceedingly warm and the roads were 
dusty. At about four p. m. we were ordered back some distance 
and camped for the night. 

On June 1st, we started on a forced march through the rain 
and mud, and marched until such intense darkness overtook us 
that it was dangerous to proceed further, so we camped in the rain, 
mud, and woods, minus any shelter for the night. The country 
through which we were passing had been robbed of its male pop- 



94 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

ulation, and we found the women and girls ploughing and planting 
the fields. Although the war had been in progress but a few 
months, in exchanging commodities the citizens would gladly give 
us $100.00 of their money for $5.00 of our greenbacks. 

When daylight came to our rescue, we took up our line of 
march and soon came to Chewallah, upon the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad. It was a small village. June 12th, 1862, 
we left Chewallah, and for three days took to the railroad. Owing 
to the heat and want of water, the boys fell faint and sick by the 
wayside, but nearly always found our camp during the night. We 
passed through Grand Junction and found the bridges and depot 
in ashes. Preparations were at once made for the rebuilding of 
the bridge and in a very few days the cars with army stores were 
up to this point, that is, fifty miles beyond Corinth. The rapidity 
with which work was done told the soldiers that the pledge of the 
nation to care for those who were caring for it, was being re- 
deemed. 

Our next capture upon the M. & C. R. R. was La Grange, 
Tennessee, but a few miles from Grand Junction. La Grange is a 
city of wealth, and the surrounding country rich. The aristocracy 
were loud in their praise of the Confederates and exhibited their 
contempt for us. The water and fruit made a decided improvement 
in the health of the regiment and of the army in general. We 
moved out from La Grange, and on June 18th, 1862, we occupied 
Moscow, Tennessee. As usual, the enemy had burned the railroad 
bridge across Wolf River, the depot and cotton gins. The citizens 
vacated with the rebel army, and left about everything, except 
their valuables, behind. The regiment assisted in the rebuilding 
of the bridge, 300 feet long, and then took up the line of march 
for Lafayette, Tennessee, arriving there on June 2.3rd. To our 
surprise, when we entered the town, a Confederate flag was still 
flying from a flag-staff. It was but the work of a moment for 
some of the boys of the 53rd to get an axe and cut down the staff. 
The flag was distributed among the boys in fragments, as memen- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 95 



toes to send North. At this point the enemy was so hard pressed 
that they had no time to destroy property, except the bridge. The 
dwellings here were above the average and the pnblic bnildings 
good. The citizens were not so panic-stricken, and remained at 
home. They had learned by this time that the " Yankee vandals " 
did not wear horns. The bridge had to be rebnilt here. The 
health of the regiment was good. Memphis was about thirty 
miles from here, and we presumed that was to be our objective 
point. 

At this juncture our division was compelled to make a forced 
march back to Moscow, some ten miles away, in order to re-inforce 
General Hurlburt's division. The weather was intensely hot, and 
the health of the regiment good. We reached Moscow, June 27th, 
1(S62. This backward movement was occasioned by the enemy's 
attacking our forces at Holly Springs, some fifteen miles distant. 

On June 29th we received orders to proceed to Holly Springs, 
Mississippi, We marched day and night, the sun making it very 
trying. On July 1st we had an encounter and brought in use our 
artillery, and soon dispersed the enemy and recaptured the town. 
The 53rd had one man killed and a few wounded. 

• 

Upon our return march we moved mostly by night, as we had 
to cross a sand desert, and water and provisions were very scarce. 
Many of our boys replenished their stomachs by the purchase of 
corn-pone from the negroes. We finally returned to Moscow, 
reaching there July 7th, and camped on the bank of the river in a 
beautiful grove. 

On July 18th, 1862, we again took to the road, Memphis 
being the objective point. On this day quite a number of the 
bovs were sick and had to take to the ambulance. Some of the 
commissioned officers were among them. One of our number died 
during the day, and was buried by the roadside. We reached 
Memphis on July 21st, 1862. 



96 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



The city was a commodious one, beautifully located, and 
composed of a homogeneous mass. Here we found many Union 
citizens and ladies in abundance. The Sisters of Charity came to 
the relief of the sick and wounded, and rendered God's service. 
The 53rd was camped one and a half miles below the city on the 
banks of the Mississippi River. For the first time for several 
weeks, we were where we could get mail from " God's country, " 
and oh ! how we did enjoy a letter from wife, mother, brother, sis- 
ter, or sweetheart. With what relish we enjoyed a newspaper 
from the North. 

General Sherman was in command, and that meant no rest for 
any certain time. Many of our boys who had left us at Shiloh, 
sick or wounded, returned to us here. Extensive fortifications 
were constructed. Hundreds of negroes were employed upon the 
works. All citizens residing within the line of fortifications were 
ordered out. Steamers arrived daily, thus keeping us in touch 
with the home-land, much to our satisfaction and enjoyment. 
Sickness prevailed to an alarming extent. About August 4th we 
located our Regimental Burying Ground and buried our first man, 
John Davis, of Co. K, within twenty-four hours. Some nine or 
ten others were buried near him. While at Memphis one of our 
commissioned officers, gallant Captain Galloway, of Co. K, was 
by order of General Sherman assigned to duty upon a Board of 
Court Martial. While here we drilled two hours a day. All 
houses within one mile of the fort were ordered demolished, to 
prevent shelter to the enemy, and to give our artillery free and un- 
obstructed firing. On November 10th, 1862, Lieutenant Dawes 
left for Columbus to bring us a lot of drafted men to fill our de- 
pleted ranks. Our morning roll-call showed 680 men present 
for duty. 

On November 22nd, 1862, there was a Union demonstration 
in Memphis, rejoicing over the occupation of the city by the Un- 
ion forces. A detailed description of this demonstration would oc- 
cupy too much space, hence the historian simply makes the gen- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



97 



eral statement. It was evident, however, from this celebration 
that a lar^e loyal sentiment prevailed thronofhout the city of 
Memphis, and the display did ample jnstice to those who projected 
it. Notwithstanding this, however, enong-h rebel sympathizers 
were left to keep np some agitation. A good sized army was be- 
ing collected at this point ; a large part of it consisting of new and 
nndisciplined troops. 

The following incident may fnrnish a fitting close to the 
present chapter : John Davis, of Co. E, was well known throngh- 
ont the regiment. He was, what we used to consider in those 
days, rather an old man and though a good soldier never quite un- 
derstood the necessity of all the " pomp and circumstance of glo- 
rious war. " While on picket duty one night in front of Corinth, 
where the hostile lines were in close proximity, the officer of the 
day, at midnight making the rounds, approached his post. " Who 
comes there ? " said Davis. " Grand rounds ; " was the reply. " I 
don't know anything about your grand rounds, " answered Davis, 
" if you move I will shoot you ; " and he leveled his musket. 
Grand rounds stood still, until the sergeant of the guard, fortun- 
ately close at hand, came up and solved the difficulty. 




98 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER IX. 



FROM MEMPHIS TO VICKSBURG. 

On November 22nd, 1862, we marched ont and left the city 
of Memphis. General Denver commanded the division and Colo- 
nel Cockerill the brigade. The 53rd, while at Memphis, did con- 
siderable duty in and around the city ; the boys had so kindly per- 
formed these duties, treating all classes with consideration, that, as 
the regiment passed through the streets, they were given quite an 
ovation. As we proceeded upon our line of march, it became appar- 
ent that the army in general was possessed of a determination to 
wipe that part of Mississippi through which we were passing off 
the map of the United States. The torch was applied fearlessly. 
The section was abundant in forage and many were the chickens, 
turkeys, geese, and hogs which found their way into Union stom- 
achs. The negroes, always friends of the boys in blue, winked 
one eye at us, slyly bade adieu to their families, and then followed 
the army. They invariably knew the cause of the war, and what 
it would eventually lead to, their freedom ; and they recognized that 
that freedom, if it came, must come through our army. They 
were always ready and willing to risk life and all that was dear to 
them for the cause of the Union. 

A Virginia slave, who had heard of the President's promise 
concerning the proclamation to be issued on the 1st of January 
1863, then only a few days in the future, is said to have been 
heard praying, with great earnestness and the deepest emotion : 

" O God Almighty ! keep the engine of the rebellion going 
till New Years ! Good lyord ! pray don't let off the steam ; Lord, 
don't reverse the engine ; don't back up ; Lord, don't put on the 



53rd OHIO VOI.UNTKKR INFANTRY. 99 

brakes ! Hut pray, g-ood Lord, put on more steam ! Make it go 
a mile a minute! Yes, Lord, pray make it go sixty miles an 
hour ! (' Amen ! ' 'Do good Lord ! ' responded the brethren and 
sisters. ) Lord, don't let the express train of rebellion smash up 
till the 1st of January ! Don't let the rebels back down, but 
harden their hearts as Pharaoh's, and keep all hands going, till the 
train reaches the depot of Emancipation." 



General Grant is in command of the army. Our brigade now 
consists of the 97th and 99th Indiana, the TOth and 5.3rd Ohio. 
The division is in command of General Sherman. 

On December 4th, 18H2, we left our camp near Holly Springs, 
Mississippi, and marched to the Tallahatchie River, and at night 
marched back to our camp which we had left in the morning. On 
the 5th vye retraced our steps to the Tallahatchie River, and 
camped for the night. On the 0th we crossed the river in the 
morning on bridges just constructed. We marched through the 
swamps wdiere the enemy had intended to give us battle, but when 
we were ready to confront them they had hied themselves away 
and left us to occupy the fortifications. We passed on and camped 
at College Hill. 

Five miles to our front General Grant had routed the enemy 
at Oxford, Mississippi. W^e proceeded to Coffeeville, on the Mis- 
sissippi Central railroad. Here we received the information that 
Van Dorn had retaken Holly Springs and played havoc with our 
supplies stored there. We were ordered thither at once, and reach- 
ed there January 2nd, 1883, and found to our disgust and dismay 
that our information was all too true, as Van Dorn had destroyed 
two depots, machine shop, Government stores, ammunition, and a 
lot of baled cotton, and also the cars. We went into camp by the 
burned depot. We had assisted in the capture of the Springs just 
six months previous. Colonel Murphy, who commanded the 109th 
Illinois, surrendered to Van Dorn's forces without any resistance. 
We found the colonel under arrest upon our arrival. We tore up 



100 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

the railroad from there to Oxford, Mississippi, and then marched 
to La Grange, reaching there January 10th, 1863. We readily 
recognized the place as we had been there in June, 1862. We 
went into camp in a pine grove, and for the first time in several 
months drew full rations, which we enjoyed hugely. Frequently 
such prayers were heard, as " God grant that our cracker-line may 
be kept open to the North and our stomachs thereby maintained. " 
On January 13th, 1863, it commenced to rain and continued 
raining until the 18th, when a deep snow covered the ground and 
very cold weather followed. On this day, the 18th, the 53rd Ohio 
was ordered upon a foraging expedition. It rained hard all day ; 
the men were soaked to the skin and lay down for the night in 
wet clothes. During the night it began to snow. We marched 
four days in the cold and snow. Several of our boys suffered from 
frost-bitten feet and hands. This was decidedly the severest and 
roughest experience of our soldier life to this date. The oldest 
citizens in that section said that they had never experienced such 
weather before and they naturally blamed the Yankees for bringing 
it southward. 

There was a large hospital at La Grange, but to our regret it 
was filled and, what was worse still, large numbers were dying dai- 
ly. Graves were kept in readiness at all times. Coffins, so-called, 
were stacked all around the hospital, ready to receive their victims. 
As soon as life was extinct, the body was put into a pine box and 
buried. 

January 24th, 1863, doing routine duty. Cold weather still 
with us. 

From February 4th to 22nd nothing occurred to break the 
monotony worthy of note. 

On F'^ebruary 19th, Captain Galloway was stricken with ery- 
sipelas. He was recommended for furlough by Colonels Jones 
and Cockerill and the division surgeon, but General Denver re- 
fused to sign unless they would certify that going home would 
save his life. 



o3RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 101 



On February 25th, at Moscow, ten miles distant, our wagon 
train was attacked and some of the teamsters were taken ])risoners. 

On March 1 1th the pickets wt^re hastily withdrawn and at 4 
a. m., the troops were assembled, and we struck our tents and were 
off for Moscow, Tennessee. When we reached our destination w.e 
were surprised to find Moscow almost licked up by flames, and the 
residents impoverished. 

The 53rd and 70th Ohio and Bouden's Battery constituted our 
fio^hting: force here. 

Just prior to our leaving- La Grange a large quantity of am- 
munition, in charge of our quarter-master, and guarded b\- four of 
our regiment, was exploded, carrying death and destruction in its 
train. One was killed and three were fatally injured. The ex- 
plosion was caused by the carelessness of the guards, leaving a 
candle burning on a box of cartridges. It burned through the 
box while the guards were asleep. 

On April 5th, 186.">, Captain Galloway and Lieutenant Mc- 
Millen were at Memphis, and while at the depot waiting for 
the train for Moscow, they met Major Dawes just coming 
from Moscow. While the trio were engaged in conversa- 
tion the train pulled out and the Captain and Lieutenant were 
left. This train while en route for Moscow was captured, to- 
gether with all on board and a large quantity of mail. The 
rebel cavalry hovered close about and annoyed us by raids. 
Within a few days of the above raid and capture, the chaplain 
of the HTth Indiana and several of his assistant mail boys 
were captured, with all the mail in their possession. 

At about this time Sergeant Joshua K. Bailey of Co. 
K. was promoted to Second Lieutenant. 

The boys concluded that they were going to have to 
stay at Moscow for some time and indulged in the pastime of 
making gardens. 



102 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



April 28th, Captain Henry C. Messenger of Company K 
died of disease. The Captain was a man of generous im- 
pulses, noble character, brave, true and loyal. Captain Messen- 
ger in civil life was a civil engineer, and when he entered the 
service brought with him his knowledge of that business. He 
was courteous, accomplished, and scholarly, and popular with 
the men and officers of the regiment. He was a faithful com- 
pany commander and in his death the regiment lost a brave, 
good man. 

On this same date, while our hearts were sad at 
the loss of the gallant captain, the paymaster put in his ap- 
pearance, and the way green-backs were handed out to the "boys" 
caused many a one to rejoice. 

May 5th, 1863, still in camp ; and reports from all parts 
of the army are coming our way, though not sufficiently strong 
to reflect the silver lining of peace upon the opposite side of the 
portentous war cloud. 

We here made the first attempt to recruit negro regiments 
in our part of the army. Recommendations for officers of such 
regiments were numerous, several of our own boys being among 
the number. It was a glorious time for certain officers to get rid 
of some who were working for promotion, and who, owing to cer- 
tain political influences at home, might be able to supersede 
someone. The peculiar method of enlistment of the negro 
made it quite easy to organize a regiment, as all who did not 
volunteer were conscripted. The majority of colored males fol- 
lowing our army readily volunteered ; they were glad to do so. 
They really wanted an opportunity to show their loyalty to our 
cause ; for, disguise the fact as we might, these people, ignorant 
as they were, knew that the success of the Union arms meant 
freedom to them ; and with this incentive they were more than 
willing to assume any burdens imposed, and this dispelled any 
erroneous idea that they would not fight, or were not willing to 
risk life for freedom. 



-53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 103 



On May 1 Uh, 1803, Adjutant-General L. Thomas of the 
United States visited our camp, and made an address to the 
brijrade and division, which were drawn np in hollow sqnare. 
His address was listened to with rapt attention. Strange as it 
may seem, at this late day, and remote from the war, there was, 
among the rank and file, opposition to negro regiments. Snch 
opposition at times assumed the character of anarchy ; and some 
there were, both officers and men, who were so indiscreet as 
to declare that if the Government proceeded with the formation 
of sucli troops they would lay down their arms and unbuckle 
iheir swords. The Adjutant-General, as the mouth-piece of the 
administration and government, called a halt upon the officers by 
forcibh intimating that disloyalty and treason were punishable by 
death, and that any resistance in words or otherwise, to the en- 
listment of negro troops would be instantly treated by court 
martial and merited punishment speedily awarded. This an- 
tidote worked quickly, the disease was healed, and wounded big- 
otry subsided. It was at no remote period from this that such 
oro-anizations were tested under fire, and demonstrated their 
qualities for avenging the wrongs of more than a century. From 
this time on the colored troops received their due meed of 
praise, and all were ready to admit that they fought bravely. 
Then it was that the rank and file concluded that a negro 
could stop a bullet as well as a white man, and that for every one 
so sacrificed there would be just that many more white soldiers 
to return north to their friends and families. 

On May 21st, 1863, details from the brigade were sent out in 
all directions to take possession of every horse and mule they could 
find. It was the purpose to mount the 53rd. The Confederate 
women gave us " Scotch blessings " as we departed with their last 
" hoss " or mule. Forage of all kinds, for man and beast, was 
abundant, including razor-back hogs. 

June 1st, Colonel Jones ordered Co. K, with some twenty wag- 
ons for foraging, they returned to camp loaded down and leading 



104 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



quite a number of horses and mules. One of the boys had his 
horse shot under him, and became separated from the company, 
but finally came into camp carrying his saddle and bridle. 

On June 6th the order to break camp was received, and to be 
ready to go to Memphis. The entire division had come together, 
and proceeded on their line of march to Memphis, which was 
reached in o;ood order on the 8th. The entire army was on the 
move, and it was strongly hinted that our objective point was 
Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

On June 9th, our regiment was marched to the landing at 
Memphis and embarked on the transport " Luminary ; " our desti- 
nation being Young's Point, at which place we arrived June 12th, 
and immediately steamed up the Yazoo River to Haines' Bluffs, 
disembarked, and camped upon a beautiful eminence overlook- 
ing the country. The boys were delighted, as fishing was abund- 
ant. 

We could hear the roar of artillery every day from in and about 
Vicksburg, some ten miles away. 



II 


n 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 105 



CHAPTER X. 



FROM VICKSBURG TO JACKSON. 

Historians soon after the war placed the 5')rd Ohio in the en- 
eaeement of Chickasaw Bavou, but those in connnand, and whose 
information can best be relied on, say we took no part in this en- 
eaeement. In fact, we feel in abont the same condition of mind 
concerning this as the Irishman who was accnsed of being dead. 
He said, " Yes, I have heard the same report, bnt I had the satis- 
faction of knowing it was a lie as soon as they told me. " 

From abont the 10th to the 30th of Jnne the division of 
which the 53rd was a part was performing all manner of duty ; i. 
e., foraging, fatigue duty, marching and counter-marching here 
and there in the vicinity. Dining the interim referred to we made 
a march to Big Black River and returned to the starting point, 
Snyder's Bluffs. This maneuvering was made necessary in order 
to frustrate some designs of the enemy, which were to raise the 
seige at Vicksburg ; but with Sherman in the rear to watch and cir- 
cumvent any such movement, the enemy had but little if any 
chance of success. With Grant to pound at their front, and Sher- 
man to attend to the flank movements in the rear, and fight if ne- 
cessary, the "Johnnies" experienced a "hot time." In fact, so hotly 
and so closely pursued were they, that on Jnh- 3rd and 4th they 
capitulated and surrendered to General Grant ; some twenty-eight 
thousand soldiers and eight thousand citizens, including all muni- 
tions of war. 

Thus ended the siege of Vicksburg after some forty- 
seven days. Thirty-seven years have elapsed from that, period to 
the time of dictating the history of this grand regiment. A 



106 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



visit at this date to this famous battlefield would startle oue un- 
familiar with war's alarms. On a sloping hill near the city is 
the cemetery. A partial history of this great struggle is told 
upon an arched gateway : 

" Here Rest in Peace 
Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred 
Citizens, 
Who Died for their Country 
IN THE Years 1861-65." 
This cemetery was once bristling with bayonets, resounding 
with the booming of cannons and the shrieking of shells. Now 
it is the home of the silent dead. Speechless and motionless 
the country's dead heroes speak to all coming generations, ad- 
monishing them, by the memories of the past, to unite in the ef- 
fort to elevate and educate the public conscience and thus in- 
sure better statesmanship, loyalty, and patriotism, and by so 
doino- contribute worthy honor to our heroic dead of 1861--65. 
May it be the pride of the North and the South not to be con- 
tent with the annual floral tribute to our Nation's dead ; but re- 
gardless of section, may they bring to the Goddess of Liberty the 
diamond ring of patriotism, and with renewed pledges of devotion 
place upon the nuptial finger ©f the American's guardian angel, 
the hope of the Republic, christianized American manhood. 

On July 4th, we were under marching orders for Black 
River. The march was principally after night, owing to the in- 
tense heat which prevailed. When we reached Black River our 
brigade was in the advance. When nearing what had been a 
ferry we were met with sharp firing from the enemy ; we swung in- 
to line of battle and returned the compliment vigorously. How to 
cross and dislodge the enemy was a puzzle to Colonel W. S. 
Jones, who was temporarily In command of the brigade. The 
pontoon bridge was miles to our rear, so it was expedient that 
some mode of crossing be improvised. The first thought was to 
plunge in and ford the stream, but the cool judgment and execu- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 107 



tive ability of Colonel Jones taught him that it might not be a 
fordable stream. In the meantime the rebel skirmishers were 
making it hot for us. Colonel Jones said to Captain Percy, 
in order to ascertain if it were possible to ford : "I will furnish 
you some one to wade in, if you will do the planning as engineer." 
The captain replied : "I will fix a long pole and put a sinker on 
the end of it." Volunteers came forward to the number of eight 
or ten. Colonel Jones was of the opinion that one or more, per- 
haps several, would be killed before he ascertained the depth of 
the river. Additional skirmishers, by way of protection were 
thrown out. Colonel Jones was near by, and said to Captain 
Percy : "One of these young men will take your pole." ''1 am 
going to do it myself ;" said the captain. The Colonel replied, 
"I do not want you to do it." He again replied, ''I will do it 
myself." He waded out and measured the water, and the rebel 
force was so astonished at his audacity and bravery that they 
scarcely fired upon him. Paying no attention to the shots, he 
waded into the stream to his armpits. The heads of the rebel 
skirmishers were plainly in sight as the captain was taking the 
soundings. Upon his return from the river he saluted the col- 
onel and reported : "Sir, the ford is not ])racticable at this 
point." 

Some of our Yankee soldier boys, whose eyes were ever like 
full moons, soon discovered hidden in the bushes and rank weeds a 
rope which indicated that we had struck the ferry. A short dis- 
ta'nce further down, the same sharp eyes discovered the boat, sunk 
and out in the stream. Captain Eustace H. Ball, of Co. E, and 
some of the brave boys of the left wing of the regiment swam out 
to the boat and soon had it in floating condition. It was almost 
miraculously brought into use as a ferry and the brave boys of the 
53rd were the first on the opposite side of Black River, greatly to 
the discomfort of our enemy, as many were killed, and but few left 
to. return South to tell the story, except those who returned as 
exchanged prisoners of war. About the first question that any of 



108 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



the prisoners asked was, " What in the d 1 was that man want- 

ino- wading about in the river out there?" The result of this 
crossing was one killed and a few wounded. 

General Joe Johnston, not having heard of the surrender of 
Vicksburg, came to Black River with his army and was expecting 
to cross and assist his superior officers at Vicksburg ; but, learning 
of the fall, he beat a hasty retreat in the direction of Jackson, Mis- 
sissippi, with our army hotly pursuing. We marched day and 
night. 

As we advanced toward Jackson we passed the residence of 
Joe Davis, brother of JefT, with the 5;3rd Ohio in advance of the 
brio^ade. Colonel Cockerill and Colonel Jones rode into town, and 
as we were passing a cotton-gin was fired. Colonel Cockerill 
commenced saying something about firing the cotton-gin, and 
Colonel Jones said it makes it hot for the boys to pass, I wish they 
had waited. Colonel Cockerill began to talk about vandalism. 
Colonel Jones said : " People who have been as conspicuous as 
these, in bringing this thing about, ought to have things burned ; 
and I would like to see those chimneys standing there without any 
■ house. " When we came back a few days later, the chimneys 
were there, but there was not a rail or anything which would burn 
left. 

On July 9th, as we -were advancing, we met General Sher- 
man's army corps coming from Vicksburg to join with us at Jack- 
son. On the evening of the 9th, when within about four miles of 
Jackson, a brisk cannonading was opened upon us. This caused 
a halt for the night. The 9th army corps. General Burnside com- 
manding, came up during the night. On the morning of the 10th 
the siege of Jackson began, and it extended over the next seven 
days. 

On the 10th our division moved out to the left of Jackson, and 
within sight of the enemy's skirmish line. Between us and the 
enemy's fortifications there was a stretch of at least two miles of 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 109 



Open field. Onr line of battle was formed with the 5.Srd and the 
70th Ohio in front ; the remainder of the division to move in 
columns in our rear. Here was, to the spectator at least, one of 
the finest military sio^hts that were ever witnes.sed in the Army of 
the Southwest during the four years of war. Here were twenty 
thousand resolute men, most of them in sight, in almost perfect 
alignment (contour of ground excepted), ready to move at the 
sound of the bugle : '' Forward ! Guide right ! Double-quick, 
march ! " We had not long to wait. With what determined step 
we moved ! and while no man attempted to evade duty, many and 
many a one, no doubt, said what was perhaps his final prayer, 
kissed the photo of loved ones, and as he braced himself for the 
trying ordeal said : " Here is for God, country, and home ! " 

As we moved forward we drove the enemy's skirmishers. 
Their hospital was in front of their fortifications and between the 
lines of battle. In addition to their hospital flag — and that was 
their protection — they had also hoisted their rebel flag in defiance 
of the usages of honorable warfare. This hated flag was soon dis- 
placed and " Old Glory " flung to the breeze by the 58rd O. \\ I. 
Steadily we moved on and were meeting with opposition, but not 
more severe than we had frequently encountered, if as much so. 
We had just about concluded that the army was retreating, and 
that we were perhaps fighting a division or two covering the re- 
treat, when, to our consternation, we were saluted with a roar of 
mu.sketry and a fusilade of shot and shell from their cannons which 
let us know without a moment's warning that our thoughts as to 
evacuation were a delusion. But steadily we pressed on, contend- 
ing for every inch of ground, until night closed in upon the scene. 
We camped in line of battle, just where we halted. Not much 
sleep was indulged in, however, as the batteries from the enemy's 
fortifications shelled us throughout the night. All night long we 
were like ducks dodging thunder. 

On July nth, as daylight ushered in the Sabbath morning, 
they opened the battle with an artillery fire which was terrific and 



110 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



effective. This had a tendency to disorganize our line to a limited 
extent. While nnder this fire two inexperienced Indiana regi- 
ments broke in full retreat, but were checked and returned to their 
proper place in line of battle before any further demoralization set 
in. The position occupied by the 53rd was particularly hot, and 
the firing was destructive. During the hottest of the morning's 
fight one company of the regiment was moved out in front, and 
deployed as skirmishers not to exceed four hundred yards from the 
enemy's line of fortifications. The shelling from the enemy's guns 
that day will never be effaced from the memory of those present. 
An officer of the 99th Indiana, who was upon the reserve line, 
durino- the dav was writing a letter to his wife. A strav shell 
came along and took off the arm which was doing the writing, and 
also killed one of the 70th Ohio men. 

July 14th. — The cannonading this morning was not so brisk, 
but on the skirmish line there was constant firing, and at times so 
pronounced as to partake of the form of battle. During the after- 
noon a flag of truce came into our lines, requesting an armistice 
for four hours ; we to bury the dead and care for the wounded 
within our lines ; the enemy to do likewise. This was agreed to, 
and proper details made to carry out the terms of the armistice. 
During this four hours of intermission of battle our boys and the 
Johnnie rebs met at the skirmish line upon the most cordial terms 
and traded and exchanged not only compliments but coffee, salt 
and the like, with our enemy for tobacco. To see them thus 
together one could scarcely realize that in four short hours each 
would be striving to see which was the best shot. It was no un- 
usual occurrence to hear such exclamations as : " Look out, 
Johnnie!" or. "Yank, time is up, and I am going to shoot at 
you ! " 

During the early part of the day a general commanding a 
division in General Sherman's corps, without orders, charged upon 
a battery with one brigade and lost 500 men killed. This general 
was immediately placed under arrest. During the afternoon the 



53Rn OHIO volunte?:r infantry. 1 1 



left wing of our regiment Wv*s ordered to the front and placed upon 
the skirmish line. Musketry and cannon firing continued through- 
out the night. 

July loth. — Tremendous cannonading and the roar of mus- 
ketry continued throughout the day, but, so far as our part of the 
army was concerned, was not so disastrous. They seemed for the 
last day or two to be over-shooting us ; but a limited number were 
killed or wounded during the day. We remained in the same 
position the entire day, compelled to eat cold victuals, and glad to 
have cold fat " sow-belly " to spread upon our hard-tack. 

Little or no rest was had during the night of the 15th, as the 
intensest excitement prevailed. At about 2 a. m. of the 1 6th we 
commenced maneuvering, changing positions and reforming lines, 
as we expected an attack or charge from the enemy. This is a 
slow process with so many troops, unless the battle is on and haste 
necessary. We were disappointed, however, in an attack, and we 
learned afterwards that the enemy was then making preparations 
for retreat. During the afternoon two regiments of our troops 
attempted to storm a portion of the rebels' fortifications, and such 
cannonading and roar of musketry followed that it almost shook 
the heavens. Our forces succeeded in getting inside the works, 
driving the gunners from the battery, but our boys were 
in turn driven out by superior force, and upon their retreat the 
enemv double shotted their cannon with grape and canister and 
killed and wounded them by the score, some fifty odd being killed. 
Some eighteen or twenty rebels in a trench outside of the fortifi- 
cations were doing very effective sharp-shooting work. They 
had picked off several of our officers and men. They were finally 
charged upon by some forty or fifty of the (kh Iowa boys. They 
brought back into our line sixteen prisoners, and those who 
were not brought back alive were left to be buried. 

July 17th. "Grape vine" news was disseminated that ten 
thousand cavalry were in our rear, communications cut off, etc.; 
but such bad news was but the prelude to better, as at about nine 



112 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



a. m., we were assured that Jackson was evacuated and that the 
rebel forces were in full retreat, and our advance in full possess- 
ion of the city. During the afternoon our brigade moved out 
along the line of the Mississippi Central Railroad. Our business 
was to tear up and burn several miles of the road. It may be in- 
teresting to those who have never engaged in such work to know 
how it is done. We first detached the rails, then piled the cross 
ties in hollow blocks, set fire to them, and laid the rails across the 
ties, when the middle of the rails was heated red hot the ends 
would drop down, then with the railroad chairs upon hand-spikes 
two soldiers, one at each end, would take hold of the rails and 
twist them, thus rendering them useless until re-made by the 
rolling mills. It rained very hard durmg the night, but notwith- 
standing that fact the heavens for miles around were illuminated 
by the burning of the city of Jackson. The boys evidently did 
'not want property left to guard, and but little was left for guard- 
ing. A few public institutions, such as the Insane Asylum with 
its inmates were left. The chimneys of Jackson were the mon- 
uments left to mark the once wealthy city. Our boys were 
seven or eight days under shot and shell and when the oppor- 
tunity came to retaliate, they used the torch effectively. 

July 18th. We had about completed our mission on the 
railroad, having destroyed some twenty miles together with a 
number of station houses, one hundred bales of cotton, and one 
flour mill, and were now retracing our steps to Jackson. On our 
way back we met Welsh's division, which had also been en- 
gaged in the destruction of the road. We reached Jackson about 
noon, tired but ready for rations three times a day, and to obey 
promptly any and all orders given. 

The streets of the city had been dug up for fortifications of 
various kinds, but the most inhuman and diabolical work of all 
was the planting of torpedoes in unsuspected quarters, under the 
pavements and all along the river fronts. Some innocent women 
and children were killed by such deviltry. Hereat some of our 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 113 

officers became incensed and sent out a lot of our rebel prisoners 
to search for the hidden torpedoes. But little heed was paid to 
them and we hoped they would be hoisted with their own petard. 

June lOlh, our reg^iment marched to Jackson, takings a clean- 
ing up bath in the Pearl River, washing clothes, and the like. A 
part of the year the Pearl River is navigable as far as Jackson. In 
our bathing we discovered that the bottom was covered with shot 
and shell, thrown there no doubt to prevent their falling into our 
hands on evacuation. 

A flag of truce came into our lines with some eighty of our 
boys as prisoners, asking for an equal exchange of prisoners in 
our hands. 

July 20th. All was quiet, nothing worthy of note trans- 
pired. 

July 21st. Congratulatory orders were read, complimenting 
us for bravery and our perseverence in the capturing of Jackson. 
Nothing further unusual occurred. Hot and hotter the sun beat 
down upon us as we lay there in camp. 

From July 22nd to August 9th we made our way back to 
Messenger's Landing on Black River, by slow marches, reaching 
our objective point on August 9th. We went into camp on high 
ground, christening it Camp Sherman, Mississippi. The sickly 
season was now on us with full and deadly effect, men and officers 
were dying daily. Quite a number of the sick were fortunate 
enough to secure furloughs and returned to " God's country " to be 
nursed back to health by the kind hands of mothers, sisters, and 
wives. Only those who have soldiered can form any idea what a 
blessing home is to a sick man. 



114 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER ^l. 



CHATTANOOGA AND KNOXVILLE. 

From August 9th to SOth, 18G3, we remained in camp doing 
but little or any duty. Sickness prevailed to a great extent, and 
we lost three men in our regiment by death.. 

September 2nd, details were made from the regiment for for- 
aging, returning with 142 bales of cotton and a limited amount of 
provisions. 

On the 7th we moved our camp some two miles, for sanitary 
reasons, and during the week were reviewed by Geneial Sherman. 
Here we experienced one of the longest rests we had at any time 
during our four years' stay with Uncle Sam. General Grant issued 
orders that a certain per cent of officers and men could be fur- 
loughed home for thirty days. A large number of officers and 
meUj including our colonel and lieutenant-colonel, availed them- 
selves of an opportunity to visit once more the home-land and 
those whom they loved. 

On the 15th we made preparations to break camp, marching 
to Vicksburg, thence by transports to Memphis, reaching the latter 
city October 9th, 1863. 

At the organization of the regiment at Camp Diamond, Jack- 
son, Ohio, Companies A and B were the only one ones honored 
with arms, and they of the Springfield pattern. About the time 
the regiment was to depart from Paducah, Ky., the remaining 
companies were armed with the x\ustrian rifles, these being of a 
different calibre from the Springfield. On October lOth we were 
relieved of these old guns and given the new Springfield, which 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 115 



did away with the einbarrassinent of having to be served with two 
sizes of cartridges. 

On the 11th two divisions of our corps were sent by rail to 
Corinth, Miss. The other two divisions were to make forced 
marches and join the corps at that point. As usual, the 53rd O. 
V. I. was one of the unfortunate regiments which had to make 
the march. We took up our line of march at 6 a. m. At noon 
we passed through Colliersville. At this place the headquarters 
train went thundering by, General Sherman and staff being on 
board. When at or near Germantown, 26 miles east of Memphis 
the train was held up by the rebel General Chalmer, and a 
spirited engagement ensued. For a short time it looked as 
though General Sherman and staff would be taken prisoners. 
This was so obvious at times during the engagment that some 
of our officers and men lost courage. The rebels on one or two 
occasions during the engagement boarded the train and contrived 
to get hold of General Sherman's extra uniform in one of the 
baggage cars. A rebel in one of the cars had managed to take off 
his old shoes and pull on a pair of officer's boots, but just as he 
jumped from the car to go to his own lines one of our men, seeing 
he had captured some clothing and especially a fine pair of boots, 
shot him through the heart, and before he was done kicking the 
boots were off and upon the feet of our own soldier. The guards 
however, managed to hold the rebels off until General John 
Corse with his command came to their relief, and the cavalry re- 
treated under cover from the field. 

Mathew S. Lyons, a member of Co., F., 53rd O. V. I., re- 
ceived a terrible wound during the day. It can perhaps be best 
related in his own words : ''While approaching Colliersville, 
Tennessee, I received a wound from a minie ball in the left 
brow, which owing to the depth of penetration the surgeon failed 
to locate or extract. I was carried upon a stretcher by details from 
the regiment, being unable to be conveyed by ambulance, and 
left at the hospital at La Grange, Tennessee, a distance of twenty- 



116 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



eight to thirty miles from the scene of the conflict." Strange as 
it may seem, he survived and was received as a veteran and dis- 
charged with the regiment in 1865. He now resides at Flat, 
Pike county, Ohio; is married and the father of a large family. 

Our division camped at this place. Early the next morning 
we were sent south of our line of march for the ptirpose of keep- 
ing General Chalmer and his force off the railroad and from 
destroying the same. We camped for the night twenty-eight 
miles south-west of La Grange, Tenn. The Division camped for 
the night at La Grange, but moved the next day to Moscow. The 
following day we moved as far as Cedar Creek. At this same 
place June 13th, 1862, we received pay when upon the march 
from Corinth to Memphis. We next moved to Pocahontas and 
camped for the night, and then proceeded to Corinth the next 
day. We rested at Corinth some three or four days. October 
22d we again took the road by v/ay of Burnsville to luka. Here 
we camped and rested. On the 23rd we resumed our march to 
Eastport on the Tennessee River and crossed the river under 
guard of gunboats, which had been dispatched here to protect our 



crossmg. 



Just at this point some of our officers rejoined the regiment 
from their furlough, fresh and with many a loving message from 
the large hearted, loyal people of the North. 

On the 30th we reached Florence, Ala. On November 2nd 
we crossed Shoal's Creek, marching through a beautiful country 
abounding in springs and forage, all of which we greeted with a 
"thank God," and did ample justice to each. 

On the 3rd we led the advance upon the line of march, and 
after marching 12 miles went into camp for the night. On 
November 4th we continued our march through streams and 
over mountains not camping until 10 p. m. Marched at 6 a. m., 
on the otli. Rained all day. We forded Ritching Creek, waist 
deep, going into camp at noon. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 117 



On November (ith we took up our line of inarch at 1 1 a. m., 
and camped near Pvlkton for the night. On the 7th we marched 
ten miles and camped at 'S p. m. 

November Sth was Sunday, but the j^tern war seemingly heeds 
not the injunction, " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 
Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh 
day is the Sabbath of the Lord Thy God, in it thou shall not do 
any work, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-ser- 
vant or maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger which is 
within thy gates. " Yet who would doubt that the God of nations 
was directing our movements, guiding our leaders to the ultimate 
success of our arms and the overthrow of rebellion and the utter 
annihilation and destruction of the national sin of slavery? 

We marched through Fayetteville, a town of about 2,000 in- 
habitants. We crossed Elk River here on a magnificent stone 
bridge, and camped at 12 m. 

On November the 9th we reversed the order of the divine in- 
junction above quoted and rested on Monday, remaining in camp 
throughout the day. On the 10th we took up our march at 8 a. 
m., marching 20 miles. Our hardtack was exhausted and no sup- 
ply train near. The troops, however, were in excellent cheer and 
condition. No bread for breakfast on the 11th, but we marched 
eleven miles, passing through Winchester and camping in view of 
the Cumberland Mountains. 

On the 12tli we marched at 9 a. m., crossing a chain of the 
Cumberland Mountains near Cowan's Station. There was no for- 
age for beasts and in consequence a large number of mules died 
from starvation and over-work. It was no unusual sight to see 
trees as high as the animals could reach, barked and eaten for 
food. To a casual observer, our movement through this particular 
mountain pass would have seemed to be impossible ; yet, inspired 
by patriotism and love of home, we surmounted every obstacle and 
slowly but surely pressed on. Night overtook us in the pass and 



118 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



we camped in the road. The whole surface was covered with 
huge rocks. Necessity being the mother of invention, these huge 
rocks were made to serve us as tables for supper and breakfast ; the 
lesser ones for chairs and pillows. Our wagon train had man- 
asfed to o-et to where we had communication and we resplenished 
our empty haversacks, ditto our stomachs, much to our satisfac- 
tion. No army was ever mustered under any flag that so uncom- 
plainingly did every duty under any and all circumstances as the 
one under the leadership of Generals Grant and Sherman. If they 
had plenty they were happy, if minus the needful, still contented 
and happy, and fought the more valiantly. 

A glance backward through the mountain pass would have 
caused one to think a cyclone had passed that way. The pass 
was strewn with broken wagons, caissons, camp equipage and dead 
mules. The poor, abused mule suffered the most. For instance, 
one of them got off of the road and was hanging over a precipice, 
endangering the other mules of the team. This one was cut loose 
and dropped 200 to 300 feet below. A large sharp-pointed rock 
caught the mule amidship, and there he hung kicking, with en- 
trails protruding, until death ended his suffering. 

It began to rain at about 5 o'clock on the morning of the 14th. 
We took up our march at daylight, reaching Andrew's Station at 
9 a. m. • We crossed the State line into Alabama and camped four 
miles from Stevenson. On Sunday, the 15th, we continued our 
march, passing through Stevenson and camping one mile from 
Bridgeport. Throughout the Kith we remained quiet. On the 
17th we moved at daylight, crossing the Tennessee River at 
Bridgeport on pontoons. We rested at Nickajack Cave, where 
saltpeter was manufactured for the rebel arms, and camped near 
Trenton, Ga., after a hard day's march of twenty-three miles. 

On the 18th we marched at 6 a. m., forming in line of battle 
as we neared Trenton. At 11 a. m. our batteries were shelling 
the woods in our front, dislodging the enemy and also causing de- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 119 

moralization and horror among the innocent women and children 
in the villas^e. The 53rd was among- the first regfiments to enter 
the town and expel the enemy. At night the camp-fires of the 
enemy npon Lookont Monntain were plainly visible. 

"On the 19th the 53rd Ohio and the i)7th Indiana were 
ordered to reconnoiter as far as Lookont Monntain to ascertain the 
obstrnction, if any, and, as far as possible, gain some idea of the 
forces in onr front. In our movements we were compelled to ford 
creeks waist deep several times. But few shots were fired at us, 
and those without serious effect. "^/Ve returned to camp at 9 p. m., 
when several of our boys, supperless and drenched to the skin, 
were detailed for picket for the night. Such is the fate of war ; 
but obedience is the first duty of a soldier. 

On the 20th we remained in camp during the day. It began 
to rain early in the evening, and rained all night. The rain con- 
tinued on the 21st, but we broke camp at 7 a. m., and, marching all 
day in the rain, camped near Lookout Mountain. Our pickets 
and the enemy's were only about forty rods apart. No tents, no 
rations, and no sleep ! 

Sunday, November 22nd, was not a rest day for us. Orders 
were received to have 100 rounds of cartridges and three days' 
rations issued to the men. We commenced marching at 1 p. ra. 
over rough country, crossing the Tennessee River near Chatta- 
nooga on pontoons, and camped for the night near the river. On 
the 23rd we remained in camp all day. Heavy cannonading was 
heard in our front. 

At a. m. on the morning of the 24th we moved out of 
camp, reaching the river at 7 a. m. There was fighting on the 
opposite side of the river. The troops were crossed upon pon- 
toons. The pioneers were busy constructing a bridge across 
Chickamauga Creek. Three miles from Chattanooga our brigade 
was ferried across the river in pontoons. Brisk cannonading was 
heard all along General Hooker's line. A battery of our own 



120 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

division opened out briskly as we marched out and took position 
upon a hill near Mission Ridge. Our line was shelled to some 
extent in response, but a twenty-pounder was run out upon the 
line and soon silenced the enemy's guns. As night settled down 
upon us we abandoned our guns and took to the spade, pick, and 
ax, and built a strong fortification in full view of the enemy's 
camp fire. A general engagement opened early the following 
morning, the 25th, all along the line. At nine a. m. the First 
and Second Brigades engaged the enemy. The wounded were 
carried back in large numbers, including quite a number of field 
officers, General Corse being of the number. Our line was ad- 
vanced and gained the railroad. The o3rd was detailed to sup- 
port a battery and received its full share of shot and shell. The 
Third Brigade, of which the 53d was a part, suffered severely and 
lost several men in battle, and a considerable number were also 
taken prisoners of war. Later in the day a general advance was 
ordered all along the line and Lookout and Mission Ridge were 
taken. We returned from the support of the battery late at night 
and went into camp. 

The enemy was in full retreat on the 26th with General 
Jeff. C. Davis and his corps in hot pursuit. It was cold and 
frosty during the nights of the 25th and 26th and hundreds of the 
wounded left upon the field suffered intensely, many dying from 
exposure. During the night the 53rd proceeded to the river. In 
the morning we crossed Chickamauga Creek and marched down 
the Tennessee River. We could hear cannonading to the front 
and right of us, and the large numbers of the dead and wounded 
carried to the rear through our lines as we were following after 
Bragg, indicated that General Davis was harassing the fleeing 
enemy and that General Bragg's forces were doing some effective 
work in return. We had now, November 27th, started in pursuit 
of Bragg, but eventually were ordered to the relief of Burnside at 
Knoxville, whom General Longstreet had surrounded, or nearly 
so, cutting off his communications. This arduous task was as- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 121 



signed principally to the 15tli Army Corps, nnder the leadership 
of General Sherman. We were pnt in light marching order, 
abandoning all useless baggage, leaving even our knapsacks be- 
hind, and taking only things absolutely necessary, (zeneral 
Sherman says, "We marched out with two days' rations, with a 
change of clothing, stripped for the fight or march, with but a 
single blanket or coat per man, from myself to the private in- 
cluded. We little dreamed that this would perhaps be one of 
the most arduous campaigns of the war, but such was our fate, as 
will be found by following our numerous marches up to Knox- 
ville and the return to Chattanooga. 

As we continued our pursuit of Bragg everything along the 
line indicated heavy fighting. Reaching Graysville on the 
Western Atlantic Railway, we camped for the night. The pris- 
oners and wounded were brought in all night long. The total 
number of prisoners coi railed during the night near the camp was 
500. 

On the morning of the 28th we engaged in the pastime of 
burning a mill and a machine shop at Graysville. We then 
marched out on the railroad leading to Ringgold, tore up the 
track for several miles, burning the ties and capturing some cars. 
We loaded our wounded and sick aboard the cars, and the boys 
then pushed the cars to Graysville, to which place our brigade 
returned and camped for the night. It was very cold, so much 
so that the boys could not rest, they were compelled to move 
about to keep up a circulation. 

On Sunday November 28th, we marched 21 miles upon 
empty stomachs, there being no rations. We camped for the 
night one mile from Cleveland. On November 30th our wing of 
the army marched to Salton, destroying the railroad as it pro- 
ceeded This section of Tennessee was extra good. The pop- 
ulation was fairly loyal. We camped near Charleston. We were 
still without hardtack. 



122 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Early on the morning of December 1st, the Tennessee valley 
resounded with huzzahs from the Yankee throats at the glimpse of 
our wagon train. Many a one with tears in his e\es, reverently 
looked up and thanked the God of battles for the kindness, hard- 
tack, coffee, etc., included. The rations were issued, breakfast was 
had, after which, at 11 a. m., the army proceeded upon the line of 
march, singing, "We are coming Father Abraham six hundred 
thousand strong. " We passed through Charleston and Calhoun. 
The Hiawatha River divides this town. Continuing our march, 
we passed through Riceville and camped, after marching sixteen 
miles during the day. 

On the morning of December 2nd we passed through Athens, 
the county seat of McMinn Couuty. This was a town of consid- 
erable dimensions, with good public buildings, churches, and 
school-houses. A short distance from the town we came upon a 
force of the enemy's cavalry and had a brisk skirmish. We held 
them at bay until our own cavalry pushed on ahead of us and kept 
the enemy so busy that they were glad to beat a retreat. We 
passed through the town of Sweet Water and camped near Phila- 
delphia, Tennessee, after having marched 20 miles. On the morn- 
ing of the 3rd we passed through Philadelphia. This town was 
noted for its large springs, affording sufficient water-power for 
manufacturing purposes. Our army proceeded on to Morganton, 
crossing the Holston River after night. We went into camp after 
having marched 10 miles. 

On the morning of the 4th we moved out about one mile and 
camped. The remainder of the day was occupied in bridging the 
river. To assist us in bridge-building we were compelled to tear 
down some fine residences. We were now plainly in sight of 
Smoky Mountain and Blue Ridge. 

We marched at daylight on the 5th, passing through Marys- 
ville, Blount County. The women in the village were intensely 
loyal, shouting, weeping, and praying at our approach. After hav- 
ing marched eighteen miles we went into camp. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 123 



December 6th was Sunday, and for once in a long time it was 
observed as a day of rest, save and except that the boys took oc- 
casion to wash clothes and body, thus destroying — well, we will 
not mention what. The divisions of Generals Wood and Sheri- 
dan, of Thomas' army, came np with us and we camped within 
some fifteen miles of Knoxville, and near the rear of Longstreet's 
army. On the morning of the 7th there was rejoicing in our 
camp, for news was received that Longstreet, at the approach of 
our advance, had silently folded his tent during the night and was 
retreating southward, thus relieving General Burnside at Knox- 
ville. General Burnside had been shut up from the base of his 
supplies for weeks, and General Grant and those in authority had 
been very anxious as to his safety : yet we were somewhat surpris- 
ed to find a large stock of cattle and some rations at hand when 
our forces came up to Knoxville. 

This campaign having relieved the siege of Knoxville, upon 
consultation with General Burnside, General Sherman decided that 
it was best for our army to retrace its steps and return to Chatta- 
nooga, which we did, over almost the same route. 

Upon our first day's march towards Chattanooga we made 
eighteen miles and camped near Morganton. On the morning of 
the 8th we crossed the river at Morganton, marching ten miles, 
and camped. On December 9th we marched ten miles to Madison- 
ville and camped. On the 10th we proceeded on our line of march 
and moved some fourteen miles, camping at Athens. The next 
day, the 11th, we remained in camp and rested; but on the 12th 
we broke camp early and moved but a short distance and camped. 
During the 13th we remained quiet, but early on the morning of 
the 14th we took up our line of march and proceeded some fifteen 
miles, camping for the night at Charleston. During the loth we 
passed the 11th Army Corps, marched ten miles and camped near 
Cleveland. On the morning of the 16th we got up drenched with 
rain and marched fourteen miles, soaked to the hide ; and did not 
go into camp, owing to the bad roads and weather, until 9 p. m. 



124 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Near nightfall of December 17th we camped near Chatta- 
nooga. All of onr regiment, and that was a fair sample of the 
corps, did not reach camp until during the day of the 19th. All 
of the army was suffering more or less, and this suffering was be- 
yond any description by the author. Hundreds of officers and 
men, owing to the long and severe march from Memphis, Tenne- 
ssee, to Knoxville and return, were without pants or shoes, with 
bleeding feet — the marks of blood being plainly visible wherever 
they stepped. Sixty of our own regiment were in that condition ; 
ragged, hungry, and emaciated the corps came to Chattanooga and 
on to camp at Bridgeport, where they had hopes of getting cloth- 
ing, or at least something palatable to eat. It was no unusual 
occurrence to see our poor boys eating corn which the mules had 
refused, that is, the mules would get it tramped in the mud and 
then refuse to eat it. Our boys would resurrect, wash and parch 
it, and then eat it with a keen relish, thanking his muleship for 
the repast. 

Quite a number of the shoeless and destitute soldiers were 
provided with pontoon boats to float down the river from Chatta- 
nooga to Bridgeport, but from the account they gave when they 
reached their destination, it is fair to believe that they suffered 
more intensely from cold and hardship than those who marched 
through. 

The condition of the men was such as to elicit the sympathy 
of the officers. When the command was given to return to Chat- 
tanooga General Jones, looking at his men and their condition, 
said : " Boys, it is not possible for us to get anything for you in 
the way of clothing or shoes until we reach Chattanooga, and for 
rations we will be compelled to live off the country. I want to 
say to you boys who have no shoes, if you meet any citizens, black 
or white, with shoes on, make them take them off and give them 
to you." 

The march from Memphis to Mission Ridge and Knoxville 
and back to Bridgeport was the longest consecutive march of a 



5,SrD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 125 

larw^e body of troops during the war. That part of it in East Ten- 
nessee was of nnequaled severity. They marched some 100 miles 
in five days. 

General Howard, in his speech at the celebration of the 
Christian Commission, related the followinj*^ little occurrence after 
the battle of Chattanooga, " My corps, with Sherman's," said he, 
" had been in pursuit of the enemy for three days. We had 
marched nearly one hundred and twenty miles, and then marched 
back again. The result of it was, that our clothes and our shoes 
were worn out ; the men had scarcely any blankets to cover them, 
or pants to wear. They were toiling along on their journey home. 
Just as we had passed through the mountain ridge, the division 
commander, thinking that the men had marched far enough for 
one day, put them comfortably into camp, told them to make their 
coffee, and then sent word to me to know if they had permission 
to remain there during the night. It was raining hard, very hard. 
It was a severe storm. But I knew the position was an improper 
one. It was not the fulfillment of my orders. I sent back word, 
' No ; march forward to Tuugston's Station, March ! ' It was 
dark ; it was cold ; it was stormy. The poor men had to be turned 
out once more, to march. Notwithstanding their labor, notwith- 
standing their toil and fatigue, they marched, ' What did they 
do ? How did they take it ? ' do you ask. They took it as I hope 
you will take my speech. They went singing along the route — 
noble, patient fellows ! — without a complaining word, " 

Nor was the terrible march, amid such unspeakable suffering, 
without its enlivening and mirth-provoking incidents, of which 
the following is a specimen : 

The troops from the army of the Potomac, sent to join the 
army of the Cumberland, carried with them various ornamental 
habits and customs that were new to the Western soldiers. Among 
them was the corps badge, which designated the corps to which 
officers and men were attached. For instance, the badge of the 
Eleventh corps was a crescent, that of the Twelfth a star. The 



126 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

badge is made of any material — gold, silver, or red flannel — and is 
worn conspicuously on some part of the clothing. The western 
corps had no such badge. It is related that a soldier, an Irishman 
by birth, a tired, weather-beaten straggler, came by the headquar- 
ters of General Butterfield. He was one of those who made Sher- 
man's march from Memphis to Chattanooga, thence to Knoxville, 
and was now returning, in the terrible cold of that wintry march, 
thinly clad, one foot covered with a badly worn army shoe, the 
other with a piece of raw-hide bound with strings about a sockless 
foot — both feet cut and bleeding. " Arms at will, " he trudged 
past headquarters' guard, intent only upon overtaking his regi- 
ment. 

" Halt ! " cried a sentinel with a bright piece, clean uniform, 
and white gloves. " What do you belong to ? " 

" Eighth Misshoory, sure. " 

" What division ? " 

" Morgan L. Smith's, av coorse. " 

" What brigade ? " 

" Giles Smith's Second Brigade of the Second Division. " 

" But what army corps ? " 

" The Fifteenth, you fool. I am one of the heroes of Vicks- 
burg. Anything more, Mr. Sentinel?" 

" Where is your badge? " 

" Me badge, is it ? What is that ? " 

" Do you see this star on my cap ? That is the badge of the 
Twelfth Corps. That crescent on my partner's cap is the badge 
of the Eleventh Corps." 

" I see now. That's how yez Potomick fellers gits home uv 
dark nights. Ye takes the moon and sthars wid ye. " 

" But what is the badge of your corps? " 

Making a round about, and slapping his cartridge-box, our 
soldier replied, '* D'ye see that? A cartridge-box, with a U.S. 
on a brash plate, and forty rounds in the cartridge-box, and sixty 
in our pockets. That's the badge of the Fifteenth, that came 
from Vicksburg to help ye fight Chattanoogy. " 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 127 



CHAPTER XII. 



REST AND RECUPERATION. 
From December 17th up to and including December 22nd 
we remained in camp with nothing occurring worthy of note. 
On the night of the 23d of December, however, we were called up 
at the hour of midnight and paid, the first time for several 
months. During the day of the 24th we moved our camp to 
Stevenson. It was a cheerless Christmas eve to most of us. Pay 
day had not reached us in time for our remittance to cheer and 
brighten the hearts of our loved ones at the North, but the out- 
iroine mail carried hundreds of dollars northward. 

Christmas was cold and dreary. There was no opportunity 
to buy or forage a good Christmas dinner, so we contented our- 
selves with army rations, sweetening the same with the reflection 
that our loved ones far to the rear, if they were being served with 
turkey and accompaniments, were only half enjoying the repast, 
for we well knew their aching hearts were far away to the front 
with those they cherished and loved. 

My own mother, of blessed memory, said to me after my re- 
turn home, "My son, after I had given thanks for each meal, be- 
fore I could eat a morsel of food I involuntarily but mentally 
asked the question, 'Where, oh where is my boy ? Has he any- 
thing to eat?' and then involuntarily, prayed God to grant him 
subsistence, and that he might be spared the suffering of rebel 
prisons." 

December 26th we marched some 17 miles to Scottsboro, 
Ala., and took up our winter quarters. On the morning of the 
27th the rain was descending by the bucketful and we had no 



128 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



shelter. Notwithstanding this downpour we laid off our camp. 
It rained continuously throughout the day. The wagon trains 
came up, but our blankets and provisions were saturated. 

From the 26th to the 8 1st we were engaged in building our 
winter quarters. Our camp lay at the base of the mountain along 
the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. This mountain was cover- 
ed with a growth of cedar, and this we utilized for our winter 
quarters and for firewood. Those who have not been thrown en- 
tirely upon their own resources away from civilization can 
scarcely conceive of how soon an army of several thousand men 
can make themselves comfortable. Most of our rooms were of 
good construction and convenient. 

On December 31st, or as some claim, January 1st, 1864. 
the order of the War Department was read to us, asking us for 
re-enlistments, or as it was termed, to veteranize. As an induce- 
ment for re-enlistment for another three years, or during the war, 
a thirty days' furlough was guaranteed. 

On January 4th great excitement prevailed throughout the 
various camps, re-enlistments being the occasion. Our own regi- 
ment was drawn up in hollow square and addressed by our gal- 
lant commander, Col. Wells S. Jones, exhorting all to enlist and 
see the war to its conclusion. As a result there was a larger pro- 
portion of the 53rd Ohio re-enlisted than of any other regiment 
in the 15th coips. In fact, only five regiments surpassed it in 
actual number of veterans, and they were all much larger regi- 
ments. 

The majority of each of the companies " veteraned " when 
called upon, which, I think, is one of the most courageous things 
they did. Men who had been engaged in war for three years, 
whose time would soon expire, to re-enlist willingly for three years 
more, or during the war, when they knew the danger and hard- 
ships they would have to encounter, were certainly entitled to the 
highest praise as soldiers and patriots. 



O^RD OHIO VOLUNTEKR INKANTRY. 129 



The evidence is not at hand, if it is obtainable, as to who 
originated the idea of having the seasoned soldiers extend the limit 
of their services, bnt whoever it was is entitled to the gratitude of 
the Nation, as it was undoubtedly the severest blow struck at the 
Rebellion. 

A few months before this, a prisoner whom we had captured 
told us that the opinion of the South was, that when the three- 
years' term should expire, our men would refuse to re-enlist and 
Lincoln could not get up another such an army, and the war would 
cease ; that the men in service were tired. But when these men 
'' veteraned ■' to the number of thousands it gave the lie to what 
they had been saying. This did a great deal towards demoralizing 
the South. One veteran is worth several recruits, as he knows 
what to do and how to do it, and has the physical ability to do it. 
But little of the soldier's time is spent in actual battle — it is getting 
ready. 

A Corporal of Co. D, whose name I have forgotten, a neat, 
soldierly little fellow, was wounded in the Atlanta campaign and 
did not go with the regiment to the sea, but went round by Wash- 
ington to join us at Savannah. While at Washington he called on 
President Lincoln. He presented himself at the White House, 
and the usher asked him what he wanted. He said, " I want to 
see the President." He gave his name, rank, and regiment. The 
usher said he would see if the President would see him. President 
Lincoln ordered that he be brought in, and he went in. :Mr. Lin- 
coln asked him his name and regiment. He told him he was 

Corporal , of the 5:3rd Ohio. The President asked him 

some questions about the army. He then said : '' Corporal, are 
you a veteran ? " " Yes, sir." " Well," said Mr. Lincoln, " next 
to Mrs. Lincoln I think more of a veteran than of any one else in 
the world." 

On the evening of January 25th, 1864, the 53rd Ohio took the 
train for Nashville, homeward bound upon veteran furlough. We 
reached Nashville on the 27th, thence went to Cincinnati, Ohio, 



130 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



where we separated for our various homes, much to our delight 
and the semi-happiness of our families and friencls. [The word 
"semi-happiness" is used advisedly.] Our friends were overjoyed 
to see us, and everything was done for our comfort and enjoyment, 
but behind this was a tinge of sorrow, for our friends well knew 
our stay was a brief one at best ; and the second parting was the 
occasion of more sorrow than the first. 

On or about March 12th we again reassembled at Cincinnati 
for the return to Scottsboro, reaching Nashville March 20th. 
Here we remained two or three days, quartered in barracks, await- 
ing transportation. 

Considerable interest was manifested by the members of the 
53rd Ohio in the former residence and tomb of ex-President James 
K. Polk ; the tomb being in the yard of the residence. The resi- 
dence was a commodious, two story brick, of the colonial type. It 
stood upon a plat of several acres in about the center of the city of 
Nashville. It was one of the landmarks of the city. The grounds 
were well cared for and everything apparently in good shape. In 
after years the tomb was removed from the residence to the 
grounds of the State Capitol. The ex-president resided at his 
home until the time of his death. It was his desire and request 
that it should be the home of his wife during her lifetime, at her 
death it was to pass to the most worthy of her relations ; and he 
constituted the state of Tennessee trustee of the property, making 
it the duty of the legislature to select the occupants. Upon 
the death of Mrs. Polk the will was attacked by the heirs, on 
the ground that it created a perpetuity and established a home of 
nobility, neither of which was allowed under the statutes of the 
state, and the will was set aside. This property has recently been 
sold, and ere long the old landmarks will be obliterated. 

On March 22nd orders were received for us to march to 
Huntsville, Ala. We took up our line of march, passing through 
Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski, and several smaller villages. At 
Huntsville we were furnished transportation on to Scottsboro. 
Here we remained in camp until May 1st. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 131 



chaptp:r XIII. 



THA ATLANTA CAMPAIGN BEGUN. 

On our return from the veteran furlough to Scottsboro we had 
little or no duty, excepting that of guard duty, and that principal- 
ly guarding the railroad extending southward from Louisville, 
Ky., to Nashville, Tenn., and from Nashville to Chatanooga. It 
was an almost unbroken line of troops. 

Du-ring these winter months, General William T. Sherman 
was concentrating an army of about 100,000 seasoned veterans. 
This aggregation of men was to move southward with the avowed 
purpose of eventually taking possession of the city of Atlanta, 
Cxcorgia. It was what has since passed into history as the Atlanta 
Campaign. It was the most arduous, active campaign experienced 
by the Army of the Southwest during the civil war, if not by 
any army of the known world. This vast army was set in action 
May 1st, 1804, and was composed as follows : 

Army of the Cumberland, Major-General Thomas com- 
manding : 

Infantry 54,568 

Artillery 2,377 

Cavalry 3,828 — 60,773 

Army of the Tennessee, Major-General McPherson, com- 
manding : 

Infantry 22,437 

Artillerv 1,404 

Cavalry 624— 24,485 

Army of the Ohio, Major-General Schofield, commanding : 

Infantry 11,183 

Artillery 679 

Cavalry 1,697—13,559 

Including 254 cannon. 98,797 



132 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

May 1st was Sabbath morning, and the historian, as he ap- 
plied the torch to what had been his winter quarters and started 
iipon the march, mentally compared that Sunday morning's work 
with the duties at that hour, 9 a. m., which he had been accus- 
tomed to at home, namely: attendance at Sunday school, and 
afterwards at divine service ; and naturally queried, will the God 
of Nations bless a cause which so flagrantly violates his holy day 
by deliberately planning for a campaign to commence upon the 
Sabbath ? 

The first eight or ten days of this campaign were occupied 
principally in marching, with nothing happening worthy of note. 
A never-to-be-forgotten rain occurred on May 10th. The thunder 
of our 254 cannon was not to be compared with the heavenly 
artillery, and a downpour of several hours drenched the army to 
the hide. We were then near the base of Johnston Mountain or 
Sugar Valley. The narrator was upon picket that night, and an 
amusing incident occurred : The picket line was really a skirmish 
line, and we were posted behind trees and so near each other that 
we could in an undertone converse, if we so desired. The enemy, 
however, being so near in our front, we were exhorted to be cau- 
tious. During the night a noise was heard approaching that re- 
sembled a cavalryman cautiously feeling his way through the 
underbrush. It was apparent soon that it was approaching near- 
est the post of the writer, and he naturally felt his hair going up 
on end and his slouch army hat leaving his head. The man upon 
his right being one of his own company spoke to him and asked if 
he heard the noise. The writer replied : " Yes, sir, and ready to 
do my duty at the proper time." About this time the noise began 
to veer to the left, and the hat gradually settled down again on his 
head. As the thing was approaching nearest the post of a Ger- 
man of the 37th Ohio, and being satisfied of this, the writer ad- 
dressed the comrade and said : "37th, are you there?" He re- 
plied, " Ja." But, in a moment his step was heard and it seemed 
as if he was going to run, but he only left his post as far as he 



r)3RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 133 

dared, and then, in almost a whisper, said : " Say, o3-tiines, I 
v/ish that was not me." So did we all. 

At about this time our regiment was transferred from the 4th 
Division, loth Army Corps to Morgan L. Smith, 2nd Divi.sion, 
loth Army Corps, Lightburn's 2nd Brigade. We were not sub- 
jected to any further change until final muster-out of service. 

Strange as it may seem, the first antagonist we were called 
upon to face, on May 13th, was our antagonist at Vicksburg, Lor- 
ing's division of General Polk's corps. Although twelve to 
fifteen 'months had passed, we had not forgotten each other, and 
exchanged compliments with red-hot ounce Minie balls. 

The army of the Tennessee had passed through Snake 
Creek Gap and threatened the rear of the rebel army at Resaca. 
This movement induced General Bragg to send a large part of 
his army to Resaca to resist General McPherson, who was 
threatening his line of communication. We were not halted 
until within two miles of the railroad at Resaca, where we met the 
rebel advance. The battle of Resaca, at least that part of it in 
which the 53rd was most engaged, occurred the first day. May 
13th. although severe fighting lasted all along the line the 13th, 
14th, and 15th. Upon the morning of the 13th, while our col- 
umn was on the road, General Kilpatrick rode up and requested 
General Morgan L. Smith, our division commander, to move off 
of the road and allow his cavalry to pass as he was anxious to get 
to the front to attend to the enemy's cavalry which wa:s harassing 
our skirmishers. His request was granted, and he struck the 
rebel line sooner than he expected, and in less than 15 or 20 
minutes he was being conveyed back to the rear through our 
lines, in an ambulance with an ugly gun-shot wound in his 
thigh. The Second Division was at once swung into line of bat- 
tle, skirmishers deployed, and soon the roar of musketry was 
heard. The 53rd was upon the extreme right of the Army of 
the Tennessee ; its right flank resting near the Oostanaulu 
River. We stayed under fire for some time in line of battle, 



134 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



while our skirmishers were advancing, feeling of the enemy's 
line. When the command rang out, "Forward ! Guide right ! 
march !" the battle was on. In our advance we were exposed 
to the fire of the enemy in front and right flank from a stockade 
across the Oostanaulu. The murderous flank fire killed only a 
few, but wounded many. Here a companion of the historian, 
who up to this time had never been struck and was present for 
duty at every engagement and frequently boasted that the rebel 
bullet had not been made to hit him, was struck, and as he 
dropped his gun and caught up his leg, he cooly remarked, "John, 

by , the bullet has been made, and I have caught it in my 

leg." 

One of the first men wounded in the Atlanta campaign was 
William Willis, of Co. D. He was shot through the arm. He 
ran to one of the field officers and lifting his arm from which the 
blood WIS flowing, cried out : "Look there : lean whip the man 
who did it." Fortunately for "the man who did it" the 
Oostanaulu river flowed dark and deep between them. 

In moving forward the 58rd and 37th Ohio Regiments were 
halted at the edge of the field, while the remainder of the corps 
was being lined up to our line of battle. The fire from across 
the river and from the skirmishers in front was so severe that 
our commander. Colonel Jones, said to Lieutenant Colonel Von 
Blessing of the 37th Ohio : "We cannot stay here, we will have 
to either advance or fall back. 1 propose that we move forward 
and drive the rebel skirmishers across the creek in fiont of us." 
Colonel Von Blessing assented to this suggestion of our regimental 
commander, and we moved forward and drove the skirmishers 
from their position in front of us and took it ourselves. Gen- 
eral Logan who was on top of the hill and saw the movement, 
remarked to a staff officer, "There are two regiments gone to 
hell." He thought we would go too far and be captured, but 
such was not the case, as we held our ground and remained there 
until the night. For four long hours we were under a galling 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 135 



fire and suffered severely ; our men going down all around us, and 
a constant stream being carried to the rear for treatment. We 
withdrew a short distance under cover of darkness and lay upon 
our arms all night ; but in full view of the enemy's camps. 

Heavy skirmishing commenced at 4 a. m. the morning of 
the 14th. Companies E and K of the 53rd were upon the skir- 
mish line under Command of Captain Galloway. About noon the 
captain received instructions to advance the line of skirmishers, 
which we did and to within about 100 yards of the skirmish line of 
the enemy. It was ordered that our brigade, with that of Giles A. 
Smith, should charge the rebel line of fortifications at 4 p. m. It 
was also understood that at the proper signal, the skirmishers 
were pour into the rebel line in their front, while the two brig- 
ades mentioned were to execute the charge and carry the enemy's 
line. In this assault Colonel Jones had his horse shot from un- 
der him. The brigades moved "double quick," and with a yell 
and with such a deafening roar of musketry that commands were 
useless, but the boys knew quite well what to do and they went 
on pell-mell, closing up their ranks as one by one they fell out 
from wounds or death. We soon drove the enemy from their 
first line of fortifications, occupying them with a shout and Old 
Glory was planted upon the works. The firing and fighting was 
kept up until G p. m., but we had gained our position and their 
works, and in full view of Resaca. Our losses were heavy. The 
losses of the entire army for the three days' fighting at Resaca 
were 600 killed and 3375 wounded. The two companies, E and 
K upon the skirmish line fired during this engagement over 
4000 rounds. 

On Sunday, May IGth, the fighting was continued; our bat- 
teries shelling their works. Our regiment, however, did not do 
much. On the l()th we were relieved by the 37th Ohio for rest 
and needed sleep. The enemy evacuated their forts during the 
night ; their rear guard firing the bridges. We advanced and 
saved the wagon bridge, but the railroad bridge was partially de- 



136 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

stroyed. We then passed on to Resaca. The enemy's line of for- 
tifications and forts was the best we had encountered. We took a 
large number of prisoners. In their haste they had left their dead 
unburied upon the field. On Tuesday, May 17th, we were pursu- 
ing the enemy in the direction of Rome, skirmishing as we went. 
The cavalry in our front was driven back twice during the day. 
We doubled-quicked to the front and routed the enemy each time. 
Heavy fighting was going on to our left. We camped late at 
night and Oh ! what a good rest and sleep we did have. We re- 
mained in camp quiet during Wednesday, the 18th, until 2 p. m. 
and then moved, passing through Adairsville. The march was 
continued through the night and until 4 a. m. Within the next 
two hours, or at G a. m., on the 19th, we were again upon the line 
of march and finally camped within two miles of Kingston. There 
was heavy skirmishing throughout the day. On the 20th we re- 
mained quiet all day. The railroad trains came up from Chatta- 
nooga with supplies. In passing, the fact may be mentioned that 
General Sherman had expected the destruction of the bridges be- 
tween Chattanooga, and Atlanta and had duplicates of the bridges 
and trestles made ready to be replaced on short notice, hence the 
reader and student of history can readily understand why the 
trains so nearly followed ns. In other words, the organization of 
this army was as near perfect as any human transaction could be. 
This enabled us to keep our cracker-line open with " God's coun- 
try. " Saturday and Sunday, the 21st and 22nd of May, we en- 
joyed a rest ; but on the 23rd we moved at 6 a. m., and continued 
our march until we had gone some 20 miles, and then camped. 
The train from Chattanooga brought us mail, the first for some 
weeks. How the cheering letters from home aroused our spirits 
and nerved us for the carnage soon to follow ! Upon the 24th we 
passed on to Vanworth, and covered some eight miles of march. 
On the 25th we marched at 8 a, m., and went into camp after 
marching ten miles. There was heavy cannonading on our left. 
At sundown or soon after, while in camp, we were summoned to 
assemble and ordered to move and re-inforce General Thomas. We 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 137 



marched until 11 o'clock and ag^ain camped. Thursday, the 20th, 
we marched at 9 a. m. There was skirmishing in our front. We 
were then advancing on Dallas. The maneuvering in our ap- 
proach to and capture of the town was magnificent, and to an ob- 
.server it was a spectacle to be remembered. We steadily advanced, 
driving the enemy in our front, passed through Dallas and pre- 
sumed we were destined to camp peaceably for the night ; but a 
short distance beyond the village, to our surprise, we were soon 
under a brisk fire. 

We immediately swung into line of battle and were hotly en- 
gaged ere we were fully aware of what was going on about us. 
The 53rd was in the advance, as usual, received the first shock of 
battle and suft'ered correspondingly. We held our own until late 
at night ; slowly but surely advancing — the enemy just as stub- 
bornly retreating. 

On the 27th, at 4 a. m., the fighting was on, and it contin- 
ued throughout the day. We were exposed and suffered severely. 
We formed a line of battle across the Dallas and Marietta Railroad. 
The 53rd was at an angle in the line. We were further advanced 
than any part of the line on either side, and lay in a semi-circle at 
this road. We realized that the enemy was in large force, and 
hastily constructed a work. The next day (the 2Sth), about 12 
o'clock, we were attacked by the rebels all along the line. Imme- 
diately in front of the o3rd Ohio there were three lines in the rebel 
column. It was Finley's brigade of Florida troops. The enemy 
in our front was of Bates' division, and composed principally of 
Kentucky and Florida troops. The charge of the Florida brigade, 
which the o3rd and 37th Ohio resisted and repulsed, was an ex- 
tremely gallant one. As they ascended into the semi-circle where 
we had a galling fire upon their front, right and left flanks, they 
came with heads bowed down and their hats pulled over their eyes 
as if to hide from view their inevitable death. Our murderous 
fire, while we had them in this death-trap, was that of precision. 
Our aim was deadly. It seemed as though nothing short of utter 



138 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



annihilation could stop them. They left 600 dead in the semi- 
circle. The charge was not checked until their line was shot to 
pieces, and that within fifty feet of our line of fortifications. Their 
colors were planted in advance of their line. Then it was that 
Major Dawes wanted to shoot that color-bearer. Our field oflScers 
were in a position where they could see the line, and were doing 
what they could to encourage us to hold our own. Unfortunately 
we ran out of ammunition, and Colonel Jones ordered a fresh sup- 
ply, and Captain Crumit, of Co. D, got out of the trenches behind 
the men and went along with a pick opening the boxes of ammu- 
nition, while every one else was largely protected. Colonel Jones 
and Major Dawes were near together, and they realized that it was 
a fight to the death — there was no retreat in it. To allow the 
rebels to break the line at that time would have lost us our trains 
back of us. We knew they had a great many more men than we 
had, but we were able to repulse this attack of overwhelming 
numbers, and helped to save that wing of the army. We took a 
large number of prisoners, among them the colonel commanding 
the brigade, Burke. 

In the center of our regiment a road leading to Lost Moun- 
tain was left open for future use, our fortifications coming up to 
either side. Back of this road, a short distance, was a section of 
DeGrasse's 20 Parrott guns, and in the rear of all, our trains. It 
was the evident intention of our enemy to force their way through 
this road and capture our trains. In the heat of the fray Major 
Dawes apprehended that our line might give way at this point and 
rushed to the road just as their line was within about 50 feet of 
ours. Their color-bearer was shot down, immediately the colors 
were caught up one of the color guards. The line began to 
waver. Just prior to this Major Dawes received a severe facial 
wound. The bullet struck the left side of the lower jaw, carried 
away the body of the inferior maxilla to near the angle. It took 
off his lower lip, tore the chin so that it hung down, took out all 
the lower teeth but two and cut his tongue. It was the most hor- 



'h^RB OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. IDU 

rible looking wound that the* writer saw during his entire 
army service. While in the ambulance going to the rear for 
treatment, he wrote in the dust upon the opposite side, " Good 
for a GO day's furlough." Just prior to his receiving this awful 
wound he was struck in the back of the head by a glancing ball. 
This, however, was so small in comparison to the other that but 
little attention was paid to it. As to the nerve of the Major, and 
how he survived this terrible ordeal, the reader may judge. He 
underwent several very difficult surgical operations. It was not 
until near the close of September, 1S()4, that the most difficult 
and trying operation was performed upon his jaw. Dr. Black- 
burn performed the operation at the Officers' Hospital, Cincinnati, 
Ohio. He was one and a half hours under the surgeon's knife, and 
steadilv refused the use of anaesthetics. This was some four 
months subsequent to his receiving the wound and the jagged 
pieces had been put together and a sort of chin formed. This 
flesh was all cut loose, then a gash cut through the cheeks on both 
sides of the angle of the jaw, slits were then cut parallel with tlum 
so as to get a loose strip of flesh an inch wide, which was only at- 
tached to the face at the angle of the jaw. These strips were 
pulled and stretched so as to meet over an artificial under jaw and 
teeth to form an under lip. The tightening and stretching of 
these strips caused the upper lip to be pushed out of place and to 
protrude, so that a gore had to be cut out on each side and sewed 
up ; then the flesh which had been loosened from the chin was put 
back and trimmed so as to fit in with the new under lip. He lay 
upon the table unbound, obeying every direction of the operator, 
turning his head as directed until the agony and the loss of blood 
exhau.sted him and only a shiver ran through his frame. About 
the time they were ready to release him from the table. Dr. Black- 
burn said, "Major, I must finish up with two more stitches." The 
Major, to whom no voice was left, raised up one finger to plead 
for only one. His brother who was present cried, '' Dr. Black- 
burn, don't touch him." Then it was the Major raised up both 



140 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



fingers and the two stitches were taken. During the operation he 
came very near strangling with blood in his mouth, and in a 
spasmodic effort to get his breath threw out his false teeth and 
chin which were not replaced, and it was perhaps well they were 
not ; but this made, a month later, another operation of compara- 
tively limited extent, necessary. This terrible wound eventually 
healed. He regained his speech much to the satisfaction of him- 
self and friends. By simply a casual glance at his face with a 
full grown beard, one would scarcely have detected his wound. 



mm 


mm 



5»'3RD OHIO VOLUNTEKR INFANTRY. Ill 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. 

Sunday, May 29th was principally occupied with skirmishing, 
cannonading and burying the dead — our own in separate graves, 
with wooden head-stones, with name, company, regiment, date of 
death cut in the head-stones by pocket knives. Usually the 
enemy's dead were buried in trenches, ranging from ten to fifty in 
each. I have seen them, when we were pressed for time, or bullets 
were flying through the air more thick than healthy, buried on 
top of each other in a trench with scarcely enough dirt to hide 
them from sight, and occasionally have seen them buried with 
arms or legs exposed to view. 

On the 30tli we skirmished considerably. Our corps com- 
mander, General Logan, was slightly wounded, also his chief of 
artillery, Colonel Taylor. We were relieved from the front line, 
but not permitted to return to the rear out of reach of flying mis- 
siles. A number of our men were wounded while on the reserve. 
Firing and cannonading continued throughout the 31st. A stub- 
born assault was made in the evening upon oiir works, which we 
repulsed. The Lieutenant-Colonel of the 83rd Indiana was killed 
in front of our regiment as he unnecessarily exposed himself. The 
enemy's skirmisheis advanced near our line and took position be- 
hind trees and logs and kept up a constant fusilade during the 
night. 

June 1st, 1864, our wing of the army being in advance of the 
regular line, we were ordered to fall back to the fortifications on 
alignment with the residue of the 15th Corps. Our enemy by 
some means became aware of our desire to evacuate this part of 



142 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

the field and annoyed us by several charges, no doubt thinking 
that if they could succeed in breaking our line they would capture 
a large wagon train just to our rear ; but they were ignoring the 
fact that a part of the fighting 15th Corps was in their front, and 
we extended to them a warm welcome to a hospitable grave. Our 
cannon and caissons were wrapped with blankets to deaden the 
noise, and were moved out during the night. We were detailed 
as the rear guard for the train and artillery. Just prior to day- 
light as we left the works one of our boys near the center of the 
regiment was struck by a minie ball and instantly killed. As 
the ball struck him in the forehead it sounded as if some one had 
been slapped in the face with an open hand, and the report of the 
slap was loud enough to be heard distinctly for two or three com- 
panies. Our dead comrade was carried along with us until we 
took our new position, and then buried. We marched some ten 
miles and relieved the 20th Corps. 

Skirmishing still continued throughout the 2nd. Captain 
Galloway, of Co. K, was appointed to act as Major. The killed 
and wounded were brought into our lines in large numbers. 

June 3rd and 4th it rained, and aside from skirmishing noth- 
ing unusual occurred. Sunday, the 5th, Co. K was detailed for 
the skirmish line. In taking their positions it was discovered that 
the enemy had retreated southward. We started in hot pursuit at 
12 m. It was raining and the roads were bad. The morning of 
the 6th opened up fair We marched at 6 a. m., going some 
seven miles, and camped one mile to the east of x'\cworth. We 
had been out of provisions for twenty-four hours. Our boys soon 
discovered some potato patches and in a few minutes the new tu- 
bers were in our camp-kettles for supper. Our trains came up late 
at night and rations were issued to us. 

On the 7th, 8th and 9th we remained quiet. On the 10th, 
however, we marched to Big Shanty Station and took our position 
for the night and threw up fortifications. Saturday morning, the 
11th, it was raining. The railroad train came up in the evening. 



5,SRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 143 



The engineer ran his engine a considerable distance beyond onr 
line to a water tank and filled his boiler-tank. It was thonght by 
most of us that it was intended to draw the fire from the enemy's 
siege guns on the monntain, but subseqnent information developed 
the fact ihat this was not true and that it was simply an act of 
bravado upon the part of the engineer. 

On vSunday, the 12th, we did not move. Monday, the l.'Uh, 
we moved at daylight to our left and near the base of Lost Moun- 
tain. On the 14th we skirmished during the day and there was 
heavy firing throughout the night. On the 15th there was heavy 
cannonading and fighting on our left. Advanced at 2 p. m., sup- 
ported by the infantry and artillery, driving the enemy and cap- 
turing (500 prisoners of the 31st Alabama regiment, including 
their colonel. This capture was made by our own regiment. Gen- 
eral Thomas on our right, took a large number of prisoners, also. 
During our advance the thunder of the artillery was fearful. It was 
during this charge that the rebel general, Polk, was killed. The 
smoke of battle and the fog made an impenetrable darkness. 
General Osterhaus' division was vigorously attacked at 1 1 p. m., 
but the attack was handsomely repulsed. 

On the l(3th there was heavy skirmishing and we marched to 
the right to support General Osterhaus. As we were taking our 
position a 12-pound shot passed through the column of the 30th 
Ohio, taking off the legs of one of their men, and passing through 
our regiment it struck one Co. E boy on the ankle. At dark we 
relieved a regiment of the 17th i\rmy Corps, taking their place in 
the fortifications. 

The enemy opened fire upon us early on the morning of the 
17th. We were compelled to keep close to the ditch, as the shot 
and shell were flying thick and fast. After our batteries got into 
position they soon silenced those of our enemy. We made a feint 
and with a yell started upon a charge, giving our enemy plenty of 
grape and canister, which together with the roar of musketry, cre- 
ated consternation in their ranks, but accomplished nothing. It 



144 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

was simply to detract attention from another part of the line where 
they were expecting to make considerable effort for the retaking of 
some works. Four of our regiment were wounded in the feint. 

On Saturday, the 18th, it was raining in torrents but we 
kept fighting still. There was one killed and one wounded in 
the 53rd. There was heavy skirmishing on our front and a gen- 
eral engagement by Generals Thomas and Hooker. The enemy 
evacuated during the night. One of the 53rd was wounded. 

On Sunday, the 19th, the enemy retired to Kenesaw Moun- 
tain leaving the pass between Kenesaw and Lost Mountain open. 
From their mountain position they opened up a murderous fire. 
We made an advance on their works while it was raining in tor- 
rents. With screeching shells, hissing bullets, and the general 
roar of battle we had an experience never to be forgotten. We 
took lodgment at the foot of the mountain and had control of the 
pass. What a gloomy night ! rain, smoke, fog, cries for help, the 
wail of the dying, praying with those needing prayers, car- 
ing for the wounded, burying the dead, and this is but a faint 
picture of war. Oh, may the God of nations spare the youth of 
this land from ever beholding such death, destruction and calam- 
ity. The purpose of this and similar narratives is to 

"Gather up the fragments — let nothing be lost, 
To show the next ages what liberty cost." 

The morning of the 20th was but a repetition of the morn- 
ings for the past 30 days, heavy cannonading, roar of musketry, 
and cries of the dying. It rained hard all day. We took a great 
many prisoners. It was still raining the 21st. The enemy are 
fortified on the mountain. Five of our companies were on picket 
and it still rained in torrents. One of Company C's men was 
wounded. 

God blessed us with warm sunshine on the 22nd, and the 
first for many days. Were the windows of heaven opened upon 
us for so many days of rain as floods of tears for the thousands of 



5,3rd OHIO VOI^UNTKKR INFANTRY. 145 

otir dead and dyiii<;? There was heavy fij^litinj^ in onr front and 
npon the rig^ht. From May l.'Uh to this date we took some 0,000 
prisoners. 

On the 23rd the force npon the monntain opened with about 
all the artillery the>' had, bnt as onr line was near the foot of the 
monntain the shot and shells flew over and beyond ns. We con- 
tinned skirmishing thronghont the 24th. Onr regiment was or- 
dered to advance npon the monntain at 2 p. m. They opened a 
heavy fire npon ns, and so severe was this cannonading that we. 
were compelled to halt where we were, as we conld not advance 
or safely retreat. We remained nntil night snpporting our skir- 
mishers. We advanced np the monntain side some distance, bnt 
owing to the 17th Corps not connecting with onr brigade we 
were compelled to take the brunt of the battle. Each side fought 
like demons from behind rocks and at close range. On Saturday, 
the 25th, the skirmishing continued, and the large guns from the 
mountain pouring upon us a galling fire. 

On the night of the 26tli we received orders to march to the 
right of the army. We marched around on the rear of the army 
of the Cumberland and went into camp late at night. In the 
morning were informed that General Sherman's old division, of 
which we were a part, would unsling knapsacks and prepare to 
assault the rebel line at the right of Kenesaw Mountain. The 
Second Brigade was formed in two lines, the 53rd on the right of' 
the front line. It was supported on the second line by Colonel 
Parry, of the 47th Ohio. When we got ready to make the charge 
we passed through the line of the Army of the Cumberland and 
over their works and down through an open field into a thickly 
wooded creek bottom ; all the time being under fire of the rebel 
artillery from Kenesaw Mountain, and their line of battle and the 
line in rifle pits at the. far edge of the woods. The advance through 
this brush was slow and difficult, and was made at great loss to our 
men. Colonel Jones did not discover the rifle pits until within 



146 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



about thirty steps of them, the brush was so thick ; he then ordered 
the men to take the rifle pits. They were manned by the 63rd 
Georgia Regiment, and seemed to have as many men in them as 
we had. But we charged, and in a hand-to-hand fight took the 
rifle pits. This was the only hand-to-hand fight we saw in the 
war. We took about a company, or perhaps more, of the rebels as 
prisoners. In the hand-to-hand fight men fought with bayonets, 
butts of guns, etc. During this encounter sixteen muskets in the 
hands of the boys of the 53rd Regiment were broken in two. 
There was a big fellow bringing up his gun at Colonel Jones, 
when the Colonel commanded him to throw it down and surren- 
der. He did it. Lieutenant Boice, of Co. .F, came up to Colonel 
Jones, his revolver smoking, and said : " I have a notion to throw 
that thing away. I just emptied it at a fellow and yet he ran 
away from me." As soon as we had taken this work, our line was 
formed and we marched on to take the main work. We had gone 
about two hundred yards when the colonel found we were being 
enfiladed on either side by rebel works. He ordered the men to 
lie down and protect themselves as well as they could. His adjut- 
ant was despatched to General Ivightburn, brigade commander, to 
know if they were coming on, and if any one was going to charge 
the works at another point, or if we were to be supported ? General 
Lightburn inquired of the adjutant : " Is Colonel Jones out there 
yet? " He replied : " Yes, sir ; and intends to stay there until he 
gets orders to fall back." Orders were immediately given us to 
fall back to the edge of the timber. We had lain down, and 
Colonel Jones galloped along the line and told the men to get up 
and cheer as if they were going to charge the works, and instead 
of running forward, run back getting on the other side of the rifle 
pits. When we fell back there were quite a number of men who 
were left wounded on the field. We lay in this position until 
night. The 53rd was the only regiment that passed through the 
timber. Colonel Parry was shot at the rifle pits and his regiment 
went no further. The works were not more than 500 or 600 feet 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 147 

from the regiment. In this action we lost about one man in every 
three we took into action. The main part of the battle was over 
in a few hours. 

We marched some distance and camped for rest and 
sleep. The skirmishing continued upon our front and a heavy 
attack was made noon our right during the night. On the 29th 
and -'U)th all the regiments remained comparatively quiet. We 
were mustered for pay. The report for the month, as to killed, 
wounded, and missing, was for the entire army 7,530. 

On July 1st nothing occurred worthy of note, excepting an 
artillery duel throughout almost the entire day. On the 2nd, at 
sunrise, we took the road and marched seven miles, passed the 4th 
14th and 20th Corps, relieving the 23rd Corps upon the extreme, 
right, leaving Kenesaw Mountain in our rear. We spent the night 
in erecting earth-works. 

July 3rd was Sunday. After two months of such campaign- 
ing what would the soldiers not have given for one quiet day of 
rest and a square meal at mother's table ! We moved one mile in 
advance of our works and then the shot and shell were too much 
for us, and we retreated half a mile to escape the shelling. We 
reformed and again moved forward at 2 p. m. Word was given 
that the enemy had evacuated the mountain, and that we had cap- 
tured Marietta, Ga., with 3,000 prisoners. Orders to charge w^ere 
given, and away we went with a yell ; the bullets flying thick and 
and fast, and two cannons playing upon us with shrapnel. Find- 
ing we were exposed we halted in a ravine. Away we went again 
across the field under a terrific fire, our men falling by the score. 
Again we raised the yell, and this time gained their works. The 
53rd, 30th, and 54th Ohio regiments bore the brunt of this engage- 
ment. The 53rd lost 36 killed and wounded, and was relieved 
after night by the 1 6th Army Corps, and returned to camp for 
needed rest. 

After this engagement we marched in the direction of At- 
lanta on the right of the army and near the Chattahoochie River. 



148 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

The Army of the Tennessee was taken to the left flank at or near 
Rossville ; there we crossed the Chattahoochie River and strnck 
the Atlanta Railroad, not far distant from Stone Monntain. The 
53rd was the first regiment to strike the railroad. We had a mild 
skirmish for possession and tore up a large amonnt of the road 
Onr army then was deployed along this railroad in the direction 
of Atlanta until July 20th, with more or less skirmishing and fight- 
ing throughout the interim. At the close of the 20th our part of 
the army was located between Decatur and Atlanta, and not to ex- 
ceed two miles from the doomed city. 

At sunrise of the 21st we moved out on the railroad and dis- 
covered that the enemy had left their works on our front the 
night previous. At sunrise the 22nd our regiment and the 111th 
Illinois were ordered to advance towards Atlanta as far as we 
could go. We moved out, driving the rebel skirmishers before us. 
As we reached quite an elevation a galling fire centered upon us 
and caused a halt. At this eminence it was possible to see within 
the streets of Atlanta, not to exceed one mile distant. Our posi- 
tion invited their shells and they honored the invitation ( ?) by 
cutting loose upon us in good shape. A lot of sawed timber near- 
by enabled us to improvise some works for our protection. The 
two regiments mentioned were one mile in front of the line of 
battle or any support. We were accompanied by a section of a 
battery, two guns, who returned their compliment of shells in such 
a determined manner that the rebs readily understood we had come 
to stay. The enemy massed their forces upon our left and charged 
the 16th and 17th Corps. The assault was a terrific one. They 
would drive our forces back, when we would reform and retake 
the lost ground. This maneuvering and fighting was repeated 
some five or six times during the afternoon. About 4 p. m. the 
column moved out at double-quick and assaulted the 53rd and 
the 111th Illinois. The latter regiment stampeded from our line, 
leaving the 53rd alone to resist the onslaught until the two guns 
could be run off, when we were ordered to retreat. The enemy 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 149 

followed us, pouring upon us a murderous fire for nearl>' a mile. 
When we reached our main line most of the force had been sent 
to the left to assist the assault upon that part of the line, but one 
brigade of our division remained. With the assistance of twelve 
pieces of artillery and the one brigade we stubbornly resisted the 
assault. Our artillery opened with grape and canister. The fight, 
seemingly, was one to the death, as each side was stubborn. Near 
our line was a deep railroad cut and an open road, and the enemy's 
force began filing in through the cut, striking our rear and 
massing behind a large seminary, delivering a destructive fire upon 
our front and rear and capturing our batteries. Finding our rear 
endangered we fell back in good order, but felt the full effect of 
the captured cannon, which they turned upon us. We fell back 
to the next line of works, nearly a mile, and as we retreated pun- 
ished our foes as much as they were punishing us. We reached 
the fortifications exhausted and famished for water, but mortified 
that we had lost all we had gained in the morning. At this 
juncture our gallant and fearless corps commander, Major-General 
'' Black Jack " Logan, rode along our line and said, " Boys, the 
loth Corps never was whipped and cannot be wdiipped. You 
must take that line again." We rallied all the men of our brigade, 
about fifty to each regiment, and with a re-inforcement of a brig- 
ade from the 16th Corps, we fixed bayonets and moved at double- 
quick, determined to regain our lost position ere darkness closed 
in upon us. 

The enemy was upon the alert, and as we approached re- 
ceived us with a deadly fire ; but their determined resistance did 
not deter us and we moved on and into their works taking the 
entire command prisoners, including nearly all their officers, and 
all our cannon but one. Here night closed in upon us, and what 
a night it was ! Within a radius of several acres were at least 
seven to eight or perhaps nine hundred dead or dying. As far as 
the eye could reach there was carnage and death. Attention was 
given to the wounded regardless of color of uniform. We as ten- 



150 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

derly cared for those who wore the gray as for those of our boys who 
had fired the shot that made our enemy hors de combat. Those who 
slept at all did so among the dead and the groans of the wounded. 
Our regimental loss for this engagement was 49. During the 
day's action our corps d'arme commander, chivalrous, brave, lion 
hearted. Major General James B. McPherson, fell mortally wound- 
ed, dying soon thereafter. More than a passing notice is deserved, 
but this is a regimental history and not a history of the Civil War. 
The list of casualties of the various battles, so far as our own his- 
tory is concerned, will be given later on. 

Colonel W. S. Jones was now placed in command of the Sec- 
ond Brigade. Owing to the shifting changes occasioned by the 
death of General McPherson, Lieutenant Colonel Fulton now 
commanded the regiment and Captain Galloway, of Co. K, acted 
as major. 

A day or two after the battle of the 22nd the Army of the 
Tennessee was moved to the extreme right of the army, passing to 
the rear of the Army of the Cumberland. On the morning of 
the 28th of July, when we were beginning to swing into line of 
battle on the right near Ezra Chapel, General Lightburn sent for 
General Jones and told him he wanted him to go out into a piece 
of woods in front of them with his regiment and charge the 
enemy who was on the hill in front. He said, "I want you to go 
promptly." Generals Logan and Sherman were both watching 
the movement. The instructions were obeyed. The regiment 
formed fronting the hill. Before we charged, it was discovered 
that there were more men on the hill than we had, and a messen- 
ger was sent back hurriedly to General Lightburn to send a reg- 
iment to be placed on our left. A glance to our right revealed a 
large cavalry force. Our adjutant was dispatched to General 
Smith to send two regiments to be placed on our right, as the 
cavalry was liable to swoop down on us from the right and rear 
and capture the whole command. Knowing that we were ex- 



03rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 151 

pected to move promptly, and the regiment which finally came, 
the 47th Ohio, on our right, being a little slow in coming, we de- 
cided to charge the hill alone. We did so, and took the hill. 
About the time we had straightened up our line on the Lick 

Skillet road a regiment appeared on our left. A glance over the 
hill in front of us enabled us to see a line of rebels as far as the 
eye could reach in either direction. 

About this time a staff officer came to Colonel Jones with a 
message from General Smith, division commander, saying that he 
would send a regiment, but to tell Colonel Jones not to be afraid, 
that he was only fighting a few cavalry. Colonel Jones told the 
staff officer to give General Smith his compliments and tell the 
general that he was not afraid, but that he could not whip Hood's 
army with two regiments, and we were fighting Hood's army. In 
a very few momefits our whole line was firing, and the rebel line 
started to advance upon us. We held our position longer than we 
should have done, but for the reason that it was thought, if we fell 
back without making a stubborn resistance the army would be 
surprised and possibly defeated. The right of our skirmish line 
was captured, and our retreat became really a rout. We fell back 
until we came around the right of the line. Just before we got 
back to the main line we met the two regiments coming to our 
assistance. Major Hipp, with the 37th Ohio, was one of them. 
He asked Colonel Jones what he should do. The Colonel replied : 
" Fight like the devil — there is nothing else to be done here." It 
was only a moment or so until he was shot from his horse. We 
went back, reorganized and charged up the hill and took the lines. 
We took up the fence and constructed temporary works. Twelve 
or fifteen regiments came to our rescue. We fought five hours 
and made seven or eight charges that afternoon. We buried right 
in our immediate front the next day 1,000 rebels. The Second 
Division did the most fighting. Loss about 250 men. We herewith 
append the official report of General Logan as to this engagement : 



152 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

" Headquarters Fifteenth Army Corps ^ \ 

''Before Atla?ita, Ga., fiily IWi, 1864. / 

''.Ueiitenant-Colonel William T. Clark^ Assistant Adjiitniit-General 
Army of the Te^tnessee^ Present : 

" Colonel — I have the honor to report that, in pnrsuance of 
orders, I moved my conrmand into position on the right of the 
Seventeenth Corps, which was the extreme right of the army in 
the field, during the night of the 27th and morning of the 28th ; 
and, while advancing in line of battle to a more favorable position, 
we were met by the rebel infantry of Hardee's and Lee's Corps, 
who made a determined and desperate attack on us at 11:30 a. m. 
of the 28th, (yesterday). 

" My lines were only protected by logs and rails, hastily 
thrown up in front of them. 

" The first onset was received and checked, and the battle 
commenced and lasted until about 3 o'clock i'^ the evening. 
During that time six successive charges were made, which were 
six times gallantly repulsed, each time with fearful loss to the 
enemy. 

" Later in the evening my lines v/ere several times assaulted 
vigorously, but each time with like result. 

" The worst of the fighting occurred o)i General Harrow'' s 
and Morgan L. SmitJCs fronts^ which foryned the centre and right 
of the corps. 

" The troops conld not haz'e displayed greater courage^ nor 
greater determination not to give ground. Had they sJiozvn less^ 
they would have been driven from their position. 

" Brigadier-Generals C. R. Woods, Harrow, and Morgan L. 
Smith, division commanders, are entitled to equal credit for gal- 
lant conduct and skill in repelling the assault. 

" My thanks are due to Major-Generals Blair rin 1 Dodge for 
sending me re-enforcements at a time when they were much 
needed. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 153 



" My losses were fifty killed, four hundred aud forty-nine 
wounded, and seventy-three missing; ; aggregate, five hundred and 
seventy-two. 

" The division of General Harrow captured five battle-flags. 
There were about fifteen hundred or two thousand muskets left on 
the ground. One hundred and six prisoners were captured, ex- 
clusive of seventy-three wounded, who were sent to our hospital, 
and are being cared for by our surgeons. 

" Five hundred and sixty-five rebels have up to this time 
been buried, and about two hundred are supposed to l)e yet un- 
buried. 

" A large number of their wounded were undoubtedly carried 
awav in the night, as the enemy did not withdraw till near day- 
light. The enemy's loss could not have been less than six or sev- 
en thousand men. 

"A more detailed report will hereafter be made. 

" I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"JOHN A. LOGAN, 
" Major-General, Commanding 15th Army Corps. 

From July 2-4th to August 3rd inclusive, it was simply a re- 
petition of the week preceding. During this interim we were 
constantly engaged with the enemy ; part of the time skirmishing, 
making several charges, and in building fortifications, we had in 
fact, little or no rest. We were under fire August 4th, but not in- 
viting the same , in fact, we were wanting rest. So many of our 
commanding officers, field and line, were either dead, disabled by 
sickness or wounds, that we scarcely knew whom to obey. At 
this time Captain Galloway was in command of the regiment, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Fulton being sick. We advanced in the even, 
ing under cover of darkness, and worked throughout the night 
constructing a lino of fortifications. Daylight revealed the rebel 
skirmish line near our own and the exchanging of compliments 
was harrassing, not to say deadly. 



154 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

At 9 a. m. two companies of the 53rd were sent forward to 
re-enforce our skirmishers and to force the rebel skirmishers back. 
They were driven from their position with the capture of several. 
They in turn were re-enforced and charged, driving us back and 
capturing their rifle pits. At 3 p. m. another charge was ordered, 
this time by five companies. At the hour of the charge a severe 
rain storm came on and delayed action until G p. m. The enemy 
gave way, losing several by death and many prisoners. An of- 
ficer of the 70lh Ohio was killed in this charge, in front of our 
regiment. We fortified during the night. There was heavy 
fighting upon our left centre. 

The principal amusement of our batteries was the throwing 
of shells into the city of Atlanta from several locations, all of 
which was certainly not amusing nor entertaining to the non-com- 
batants in the city. Atlanta was encircled with fortifications 
and they, the rebels, as usual "expected to die in the last ditch," 
at least so said some of the plucky prisoners. Some of the pris- 
oners taken by our regiment said that two more such slaughters 
as they had been given on the 22nd and 28th of July would ruin 
Hood's and Johnston's army, to which we were ready to exclaim, 
"amen." 

Sabbath, August 7th was ushered in by the booming of can 
non after a hard night's rain. Night attacks were so frequent that 
undressing for bed was a forgotten habit of the past. We went to 
bed like the horses with our shoes on, ditto as to clothes. We 
had not undressed for bed since we left winter quarters, May 
first. Skirmishing continued on our front line all day. A 
severe artillery duel took place in the night. Casualties lim- 
ited along our line. Such is war, but considering what we 
had undergone it was a surprise and gratification that any 
one was alive to tell the story to those at home. 

We were ordered to make a charge to hold the attention to 
our 15th Corps, while the 23rd and 14th Corps would take a po- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 155 

sition on the railroad on our right. General Palmer was ordered 
to report to General Schofield of the 2.'>rd Corps. The 15th Corps 
obeyed orders. General Palmer failed, and thus by disobedience 
and y>«/^;/j^^ was relieved of the command, and about the same 
remarks apply to General Hooker. 

We received orders August 2()th to move out quietly at 8 
p. m., but while we were congratulating ourselves that our move- 
ments were unnoticed the enemy's artillery opened upon us vig- 
orously. Our pickets held their pits until the column was in 
motion. Some of the bolder of the "Johnnies" came running for- 
ward to our line of pickets and were either captured or killed. A 
number of our brigade were wounded while getting out of reach 
of the batteries. We marched to the right upon the Sandown 
road. The night was hideously dark and it was necessary to 
build fires at intervals of 100 yards to enable us to keep the road 
and follow the lead of the army. We marched all night through 
the rain and mud. At sunrise we hastened to get breakfast and 
then moved on, leaving Sandown one mile to our right. At 4 
p. m. we halted and threw up works. Here we were out of 
reach of bullets and shells, and when we did get to lie down on 
the ground how we did enjoy the sleep ! In the morning we had 
our first new corn for breakfast. Thanks to the farmers near our 
camp. We broke camp and moved out at 3 p. m., striking the 
Montgomery railroad south of Atlanta, 18 miles, and ju.st as a 
train passed out of that city. Here the old scene of skirmishing 
commenced again. In the evening the 53rd went some two 
miles reconnoitering through the woods. As it was very dark, 
and discovering no enemy we returned to camp. In the 
morning we commenced destroying the railroad, filling the cuts 
with trees and all manner of obstructions. Having accomplished 
our object, we struck out for Jonesboro on the railroad ; this being 
the Columbus and Georgia railroad, and the only road left open 
for the foes to get supplies on. At li a. m. we came upon part of 
Cleburn's and Hardee's Corps and some artillery with cavalry 



156 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

under Wheeler. The oord and 47th Ohio fought to the left of 
the road, the balance of the brigade upon the right. We moved 
out, driving the enemy from their works. They retreated a short 
distance, when their artillery opened upon us while they impro- 
vised some temporary works. Our cavalry force came dashing up 
to our assistance and again routed our foes, and we proceeded 
some 8 miles further, fighting more or less all the way. Generals 
Howard and Logan were near us most of the day and compli- 
mented us for the way in which we drove the enemy before us. 
Our object was to make Jonesboro by night. When within one 
mile of the town, darkness encompassed us and prudence dic- 
tated a halt, and fortifications were thrown up ; all of which was 
accomplished under a heavy fire. The rumbling of cars could 
be heard all night long bringing re-inforcements to the enemy. 
At day-break firing commenced. The first line of the enemy's 
works was about 200 vards to our front. Cannonading and ar- 
tillery opened up briskly. Lieutenant Boice, of Co. F, o.3rd, 
beintr among our first dead. 

During the afternoon of this, the olst of August, we noticed 
preparations for a charge, and made ready to receive them. At 2 
p. m. they came with a yell, attacking our whole line. We re- 
served our fire until they were quite close, when we opened up a 
continuous fire, some of our officers standing back of the firing- 
line biting off the ends of cartridges and urging coolness and rapid 
firing. I'nder the galling fire we were delivering, confusion soon 
overtook them and they fell back in disorder. Many of them took 
positions behind trees and were afraid to either retreat or come 
into our lines. Our boys made it their business to go after them, 
and they were either captured or killed. The space between our 
works was strewn with their dead and wounded. Their loss was 
excessive, ours slight ; the oord one killed and seven wounded. 

On September 1st trains were running south constantly. 
General Sherman visited our line and was well pleased with the 
results, and complimented the division. The 14th Corps was at 



5.'iRD OHIO VOUINTEKR INFANTRY. 157 



Rough and Reach- vStation between lis and Atlanta, and coniinj; on 
down towards ns to strike the enemy's flank in onr front. We 
anxiously waited for this. At -"•> p. ni, the distant roar of musketry 
was heard in the right direction, nearer and nearer the volume 
came, and soon the gallant 1 1th Corps was upon the flank, and ere 
thev could retreat had captured eleven pieces of artillery and one 
brigade of infantry, including a general and his staff, llnfortu- 
natclv night closed in and prevented them from joining our forces 
and pursuing the enemy. The losses upon both sides were heavy. 
During the night there were three distinct explosions, shaking the 
earth like a mighty earthquake. It was our enemy blowing up 
ei<jhtv cars of ammunition and the ai:senal at Atlanta. We were 
twenty-three miles away. This destruction was followed by the 
evacuation of Atlanta. At daylight we discovered that the enemy 
fronting our line had silently .stolen away during the night. We 
moved on to Jonesboro. Soon the 2;}rd, 4th, 1 Uh and Kith Corps 
passed down the railroad, colors flying and bands playing. While 
we rejoiced at the downfall of Atlanta, and felt, as General Sher- 
man expressed it in a telegram to President Lincoln : " Atlanta 
is ours, and fairly won," yet we knew at what sacrifice and cost ; 
and who could so keenly appreciate this as the surviving soldiers 
of this army, who for four weary months had trudged in the ranks 
and performed deeds of heroism and sacrifice unequaled in ancient 
or modern warfare. And yet, notwithstanding the hardships and 
privations of army life there is always a humorous side, and there 
is always some one to avail himself of the opportunity to make 
glad those around him. During our raid after General Hood, one 
of our boys addres.sed the following poetical effusion to him : 

" My dear Mr. Hood, 
Your tactics are good — 

But those of our Sherman excel, sir ; 
Atlanta iis ours. 
We've got both the bowers — 

You're euchered, I really believe, sir." 



158 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



The Atlanta Campaign may be considered as an almost con- 
tinnons skirmish or battle from May 1st, to September 1st, when 
Atlanta snrrendered. It is not vainglorious to assert that no regi- 
ment in the Army of the Mississippi did more to assist in the cap- 
ture of Atlanta than did the 53rd O. V. V. I. * * * * * 

To further demonstrate the appreciation of the hardships of 
the past 100 days we will quote the congratulatory letters received 
by General Sherman from President Lincoln and General Grant. 
They need no comment : 

" Executive Mansion^ \ 

" Washington, D. C, September '^rd, 1864. / 

* 

"The national thanks are rendered by the President to 
Major-General W. T. Sherman and the gallant officers and soldiers 
of his command before Atlanta, for the distinguished ability and 
perseverance displayed in the campaign in Georgia, which, under 
Divine favor, has resulted in the capture of Atlanta. The marches, 
battles, sieges, and other military operations, that have signalized 
the campaign, must render it famous in the annals of war, and 
have entitled those who have participated therein to the applause 
and thanks of the nation. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 

" President of the United States. 

"• City Point, Virginia, \ 

''September Ath, 1864, 9 p. m. / 

" Major-General Sherman : 

"- I have just received your dispatch announcing the capture 
of Atlanta. In honor of your great victory, I have ordered a sa- 
lute to be fired with shotted guns from every battery bearing upon 
the enemy. The salute will be fired within an hour, amid great 
rejoicing.' U. S. GRANT, 

" Lieutenant-General." 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 159 



CHAPTRR XV. 



ATLANTA TO THE SEA. 

If space and finances permitted, it would be an exceedingly 
pleasant task to relate the history of the reorganization of our 
forces, the correspondence between Generals Sherman, Grant, Hal- 
leck, and last, but not least, the great hearted Lincoln, relating to 
our proposed trip to the seaboard ; but a limit has been placed and 
although many years remote from the period referred to, obedience 
must yield to preference. 

The army at this date which was under the leadership of 
General Sherman was as follows : 

Right and left wing commanded respectively by Major- 
General O. O. Howard and Major-General W. H. Slocum. The 
right wing was composed of the 15th Corps, Major-General P. J. 
Osterhaus, and the 17th Corps, Major-General Frank P. Blair. 
The left wing was composed of the 14th Corps, Major-General Jeff 
C. Davis, and the 20th Corps, Brigadier-General A. S. Williams. 
The 15th Corps had four divisions, commanded by Brigadier-Gen- 
eral C. R. Woods, Brigadier-General W. B. Hazen, Brigadier- 
General John E. Smith, and Brigadier-General James M. Corse. 
The 53rd was a p^rt of the 2nd Division, commanded by General 
Hazen. The aggregate strength of the army as it sallied forth 
from Atlanta was : 

Infantry 55,329 

Cavalry 5,063 

Artillery 1,812 

Total 62,204 



160 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

The 2nd Division, the 53rd inchided, struck their tents and 
bade adieu to Atlanta November 15th, 1864. Considering what 
we had experienced during the spring and summer campaign, four 
months of hell, we naturally queried, what next ? The thought 
perhaps which was most potent in the minds of the soldiers was 
that we were eventually to round in on the rear of General Lee's 
army and help General U. S. Grant to capture it. The entertain- 
ing of such ideas was wliat emboldened the soldiers to frequently 
greet General Sherman with such exclamations as, " Uncle Bil- 
ly, I guess Grant is waiting for us at Richmond." At any rate, 
the army had implicit confidence in their leader and had every 
reason to believe that whatever the future had in store for them, 
their efforts would be crowned with success, upon the basis of a 
restored Union. 

Reveille was sounded November 15th at 4:80 a. m., preparatory 
to the march at 7 a. m., but owing to the large numbers of troops 
and the length of the trains moving on the same road, the brigade 
did not move out into columns along the march until 10 a m. 
Our course was south along the Atlanta and " Rough and Ready " 
road. The wagons were divided among the brigades, which re- 
tarded the progress of the troops, but protected them from the at- 
tacks of an enemy. When we reached a point withintwo miles of 
Jonesboro we heard cannonading upon our right, which we sup- 
posed to be Kilpatrick ; we also heard a few shots from the front 
of the column. At this point we changed our course to the east 
moving on the McDonough road. Night came on, but the road 
being excellent we did not go into camp until 10 p. m., after hav- 
ing marched 15 miles. The weather was pleasant and the troops 
were in excellent spirits. 

Reveille sounded at 5 a. m., November 16th, and at 6 a. m. 
we marched in advance of the column, crossing Little Indian Creek 
and arriving at Big Indian Creek to find the bridge almost de- 
stroyed by fire, the work of a small body of cavalry under the com- 
mand of Colonel Lewis. The bridge was repaired by our pioneers. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 161 



while the command enjoyed a good rest. We entered the town of 
McDonongh at noon, our bands playing and colors flying. This 
was a small place and about deserted. We camped about four 
miles beyond the town at 2 p. m. Our foraging parties were very 
successful and we had plenty to eat. The citizens were flying in 
every direction. We marched during the day fifteen miles. 

On November 17th we had reveille at daybreak, but did not 
move until 3 p. m., the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Divisions passing on 
ahead of us. "^Ve passed through Locust Grove and did not camp 
until 11 p. m., some seven miles east of Locust Grove. The 
weather w^as warm. We marched some twelve miles. 

November 18th, reveille sounded at 6 a. m.; we marched at 7. 
We reached Indian Springs about 2 p. m., a distance of six miles, 
and went into camp. This town was small, the principal build- 
ing being the hotel. It was also noted for its mineral springs. It 
was called the Saratoga of the South. 

November 19th, reveille at 2 a. m., and we began our march 
at 3 a. m. in the rain. The morning was dark and the roads 
muddy and creeks swollen. We reached the Ocomulgee River at 
daylight, and crossed it on pontoons. On the south of the Ocomul- 
gee are the mills and homes of the operatives, making quite a re- 
spectable southern village. We proceeded one mile east of the 
river and took the road to Hillsboro. It rained nearly all day, 
making the roads very bad. We camped at 10 p. m. four miles 
east of Hillsboro, having marched twelve miles. 

November 20th we had reveille at 6 a. m., and proceeded on 
our line of march at 7 a. m. We passed through Hillsboro, a very 
small town. Some of the buildings here were burning. We 
were moving very slowly on account of the condition of the road. 
It had rained during the night. We camped six miles west of 
Hillsboro, having marched ten miles. 

On November 21st we were awakened by the reveille at 4 a. 
m., and marched at 5:30. We passed the locality of Major-General 



162 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Stoneman's capture, reaching Clinton at noon. We remained 
there one hour. The town was of a respectable size. The jail 
and a dwelling or two had been burned. Orders were received for 
a regiment to be left to do guard duty at the town ; the 37th Ohio 
was detailed. In marching on we distinctly heard the skirmishers 
at their old work. We at once halted for our trains to come up 
so as to give them the necessary protection. We finally went into 
camp five miles west of CHnton, on the road to Macon, at about 
dusk. We threw out very heavy details for picket in order to 
cover the space allowed to the First Brigade, which had been de- 
tained at Clinton. The rain ceased, but the wind was blowing 
furiously. The temperature was almost at the freezing point. We 
had marched twelve miles. 

On November 22nd the reveille sounded at 5 a. m., and we 
were upon the march at 6 a. m., moving directly south towards 
the Georgia Central Railroad. When within four miles of the 
road we had some skirmishing. The 83rd Indiana was sent out 
on the flank. One of their foragers was killed during the day. 
We crossed the railroad between Gordon and Geisworldsville. Our 
enemy at this point had torn up considerable of the railroad and 
were attempting to burn it. The First Division, however, was 
busily engaged reconstructing the road as we came up. Our 
brigade remained here for two hours. During the interim of our 
stay a forager of the 47th Ohio, with an unarmed prisoner, who 
proved to be a courier from General Hardee at Macon, conveying 
a dispatch to General Wheeler at Geisworldsville, which contained 
the information that Macon was no longer in danger ; that he 
would leave for Savannah by Albany, and for General Wheeler to 
press and harass our forces ; to let us have no rest, and if we 
attempted to move toward Augusta to endeavor to get before us. 
We took the courier to General Hazen, who recognized General 
Hardee's handwriting in the dispatch and pronounced it genuine. 

We at once took up our line of march three miles further to 
the east of Clinton, going into camp on the Beagg's plantation at 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 163 



3 p. m. The serenity of our camp was disturbed about an hour 
after by the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry in the di- 
rection of the First Division. About dark information reached us 
that the enemy had charged the works of the third brigade of 
the first division several times and had been handsomely and se- 
verely punished for their impertinence. General Walcott was 
wounded, and the loss to the brigade was about oT. The weath- 
er was cool the wind keen, and snow fell this mornino-. The 
37th Ohio which had been left behind returned this cvenino- to 

o 

the brigade. 

On November 23rd reveille was sounded at 4 a. m., and the 
brigade ordered to march at 7 a. m., but the order was counter- 
manded by reason of General Wood's division having discovered 
that the enemy remained in force in his front. At 8 a. m. we re- 
ceived orders to march on the road leading to Irvington. This 
village is at the junction of the Clinton and Irvington Railroad. 
Here we left the 47th Ohio on picket until the trains from Clin- 
ton were up and corraled for the night. Did not reach camp un- 
til about 2 p. m. For the first time since we left Atlanta instruc- 
tions were received for each regiment to construct temporary 
works in front of its camp for the night. Anticipating more of 
such work, we organized a pioneer corps for the brigade by de- 
tailing all unarmed men. We then transferred all ammunition 
which had been carried by the regimental wagons to the general 
ordnance train. In the fight of the 22nd the enemy left 300 
dead in front of the third brigade of the first division. It is es- 
timated that their loss was not less than 1500. The rebel com- 
mand was made up mostly of inexperienced militia. No doubt, 
in the future, monuments will be erected in the city of Macon in 
memory of those who fell in defense of their homes. 

On November 24th we had reveille at 5 a. m., but did not 
inarch until 10 a. m. We moved east on the Irvington road, and 
went into camp early, at 2 p. m. The weather was still clear and 
cool, but the roads were improving. We marched only 6 miles. 



164 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



This was Thanksgiving Day, as the President expressed it, for 
offering up prayers for onr National success and for an early 
peace. We in camp, like most of those at home, fasted that day 
by eating of the best food this country afforded. We again 
threw up a line of works for our protection 

November 25th reveille sounded at 5 a. m., but we did not 
get strung out upon the road until 9 a. m. The 53rd Ohio and 
the 111th Illinois were detailed for some special work and seven 
wagons under proper guard were sent for the pontoon train. We 
made another detail of mounted men under the command of 
Lieut. Snyder, the 54th Ohio, to go some distance to burn a 
bridge over Big Sandy, a branch of the Oconee River, some 4 
miles distant from Irvington. Our pontoon train came up and 
we proceeded upon our journey, camping at 3 p. m., having 
marched 13 miles. Some opposition was made to the advance 
forces crossing the river. 

November 26th, reveille for the brigade was sound- 
ed at daylight, but with every indication that they would 
remain in camp during the day. The pontoon 
bridge being completed the Seventeenth Corps passed 
over during the night. The brigade pioneers were sent forward 
to repair the roads and our regiment and the 111th Illinois joined 
the brigade at 11 a. m. We passed the residue of the day in hunt- 
ing for , and washing our clothes. About dusk the brigade 

was moved towards the river, where we halted until 10 o'clock, 
then marched over a bad road, crossed the river, and after march- 
ing some two miles farther camped at 11:30 p. m. 

November 27th reveille sounded at 5 a. m., and we marched 
one hour later, over good roads. We went into camp about 6 p. 
m., having marched thirteen miles. 

November 28th, the reveille called us to our feet at 5 a. m. 
We marched at 7 a. m., and camped one mile beyond the Irving- 
ton cross-roads at noon, having marched about eight miles. The 



oBrD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 165 

weather and roads were good ; forage was plent\-, and we lived 
high. This was surely a picnic compared with what we had had 
during the spring and summer months. 

November 29th, we had reveille at 5 a. m., and were out upon 
the line of march at 7 a. m. After moving some three miles, we 
were ordered to send back one regiment to the Irvington cross- 
roads to await the arrival of the Department " cattle drove." We 
had started out with .several hundred head of cattle, driven along 
with the army, and had confiscated all others we could find upon 
the road. When ham, chickens, turkeys, and geese, were short 
on our army markets, we killed beeves and had fresh meat. The 
54th Ohio was detailed for the purpose above mentioned. The 
residue of the brigade camped at dusk, having marched ten miles. 
A portion of the road over which we had passed during the day 
was very swampy. The weather was very pleasant ; forage was a 
little scarce : but our command was well supplied, as the 53rd Ohio 
knew how to forage and to take care of number one. 



"fe" 



On November 30tli we were awakened at 5 a. m., and march- 
ed at 7 o'clock. We reached Judge Tarbot's plantation at noon. 
This was on the State road leading to Savannah. The 54th Ohio 
rejoined our brigade at this point. We entered a fine forest at 
about 2 p. m., and marched in and through it until 8 p. m. before we 
camped, having made 18 miles; and yet our march had been 
much retarded owing to the lagoons every mile or two ; otherwise 
the roads were good and the weather pleasant. 

On December 1st we had reveille at 3 a. m., and marched at 
5. We were compelled during the day to construct corduroy 
roads across the numerous lagoons ; but, notwithstanding our de- 
lays the brigade reached Summerville at 5 p. m., having marched 
thirteen miles. The country through which we passed was very 
thinly settled, consequently forage was scarce. Summerville was 
a small village. 



166 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

On December 2nd we were awakened at 5 a. ni., and marched 
at 7 a. m. We were still in the pine forests and delayed by 
lagoons, and did not reach a camping place until 8 p. m., having 
made only ten miles of a march. Our boys prayed for a better 
country and more forage. We fared so well at the start that we 
wanted more of the good things as we proceeded on down through 
Dixie Land. 

On the 3rd the reveille sounded at 6 a. m., and we marched 
an hour later, passing through the same character of country as 
the day before, and having to construct roads every few miles. We 
camped at 5 p. m. on the road leading to Statesboro. An amusing 
incident occurred on the line of march. Our foragers discovered a 
live citizen buried. He was buried with -his valuables, but the 
sharp nose of the Union boys discovered the " stiff " and brought 
it to the surface, together with the valuables. It was amusing to 
see the foragers going around prodding the ground with their ram- 
rods or bayonets, seeking for soft spots, and when such were 
struck, they soon found a shovel to see what was buried beneath. 
We passed over twelve miles of country that day and camped for 
the night. 

On the morning of the 4th we were called to our feet at 5 a. 
m.; had breakfast, and marched at 7 a. m. After having marched 
two miles we camped at 8 a. m. on the road to Statesboro. Here 
we were again ordered to construct works. Captain Lewis, with a 
party of mounted men, was sent to Statesboro on a reconnoissance ; 
and while in camp the order for inspection of our arms was re- 
ceived, and all were reported in serviceable condition. We were 
ordered to have our cartridge boxes contain forty rounds each. 
We also had the gratifying news disseminated that we could wash 
our clothing and have ample time to dry the same. Captain Lewis 
and his party returned about dark, and reported that he had en- 
countered but few cavalry in the town, but that the citizens had 
reported a large force some seven miles beyond. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 167 

December otli the reveille sounded at o a. m., but we did not 
march until 10, as we were in the real of the train for the day. 
As we had several creeks to cross, and the roads being bad, the 
train necessarily moved slowly. During the day some (K)0 of the 
enemy's cavalry came upon our foragers and advance guard at 
vStatesboro, killing two and capturing several. They also attacked 
the TOth Ohio, which was in the advance. We passed some dead 
rebels, and reached our camp at 9 p. m., having marched fourteen 
miles. This country was more thickly settled than some we had 
been passing through, yet forage was scarce. 

December Oth we were again called from the embrace of 
Morpheus at 5 a. m., and got swung out upon the road at 8 
o'clock. We passed quite a number of plantations, somewhat bet- 
ter than those we had previously passed ; camped at 9 p. m., near 
the Savannah State Road, and within 13 miles of the Ogeechee 
River, and 39 miles from Savannah, having marched 15 miles. 
We obtained plenty of forage. 

December 7th. There seemed to be no desire to allow us to 
sleep beyond 5 a. m. We were again upon the road at 8 o'clock, 
and moved one mile on the Ogeechee River and then went into 
camp. We were again ordered to construct works for the night. 
We were waiting for the left wing of the army to swing around. 

December 8th we were again called from slumber at the usual 
hour, and marched at 7. The heavens opened upon us at nine 
for about one hour, making the swampy road almost impassable 
for the wagon trains. After proceeding about 8 miles we changed 
our course, the troops moving further south, the train moving on 
the direct road to W^right's Ferry on the Ogeechee River. We 
camped within half a mile of Black Creek bridge at 3 p. m. W. 
S. Jones, brigade commander, sent the 54th Ohio and the 111th 
Illinois bevond the bridge and south of the creek to camp, with 
instructions to erect log works. 



168 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



December 9th, we had reveille again at 5 a. m., marching at 
7. The bridge had been nearly destroyed by fire. Our troops, 
however, passed over, the trains and mounted men fording the 
creek. We encountered several cypress swamps during the day. 
We reached Eden at 3 p. m., and went into camp. Eden is the 
county seat of Bryan. This was an insignificant village, the prin- 
cipal building being the court-house. We camped within two 
miles of the Cannouchee River. The enemy had destroyed the 
brido-e, and were displaying some opposition to the attempt of the 
3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division to cross. They used some artillery 

upon us. 

On the morning of the 10th the reveille was sounded at 6. 
We marched to the Cannouchee River, reaching there at 8 a. m. 
The 83rd Indiana was ordered to assist the detachment of pion- 
eers in laying the pontoon bridge. After the 3rd Brigade had 
crossed in boats, we began to transfer the command over. The 
bridge was finally finished in time for the last regiment to pass 
over at 12 o'clock. We proceeded with the command on the road 
leading to the Savannah and Gulf Railroad, some eight miles 
distant, striking the road six miles west of Ways Station. We 
captured some rebels during our day's march and destroyed some 
little railroad. We moved in the direction of Ways Station and 
destroyed the trestle-work. We retraced our steps under orders, 
and returned to our camp of the day previous, distant five miles, 
and camped at 11 p.m., having marched during the day 19 miles. 

December 11th we were up at 4 a. m. and marched at 6 
o'clock. The 53rd was instructed to remain at the river until the 
pontoon boats had been taken up and the train reached the bridge 
across the Ogeechee River. We marched five miles and the troops 
passed over the Jenk's bridge, the trains passing over the pontoon 
bridge two miles above. We passed the Ogeechee Canal, stopped 
for dinner, and then proceeded on the road leading to Savannah. 
Marched about five miles and halted at dusk for orders. We re- 
ceived orders to proceed one mile further in advance and go into 
camp. 



53rd OHIO voluntep:r infantry. 1G9 

On December 12th the monotony of earlv reveille was broken, 
none having been sounded. We remained in camp all day as a 
reserve corps. Here we were ordered to turn over all extra horses 
and were furnished with six days' half rations and took up our 
line of march at 5 p. m. towards King's Bridge. A detachment 
from our brigade was at work upon the repair of this bridge. We 
went into camp about one mile from the bridge, which was to be 
finished for our crossing by morning, when we were to recross the 
Ogeechee River below its junction with the Cannouchee River. 

- On the morning of December 13th we marched at daylight 
across the Ogeechee River, marching along the causeway leading 
to the Gulf Railroad, and thence down along the south bank of 
the Ogeechee toward its mouth ; this being within about one mile 
of Fort McAllister. 

At this point we captured a rebel picket who divulged the 
places where torpedoes were planted across the road. This being 
contrary to the usage of modern warfare, it was ordered that our 
rebel prisoners be compelled to take up the torpedoes in the road 
wherever they could be found. 

Our brigade then advanced within musket range of the fort, 
and formed in line of battle. While waiting for the First and 
Third Brigades to come into position about the fort, and while 
making observations as to the ground and fortifications over which 
we were soon to charge, a rebel bullet came flying at us, which 
struck Captain Groce, killing him instantly, and wourding Colonel 
W. S. Jones, commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division. 
This was about 5 p. m. At about this same moment the bugle 
sounded "Forward ! Double-quick ! " The troops moved gallantly 
and captured the fort, its stores and garrison, after an action of only 
about ten minutes. The loss to our division was twenty-four killed 
and 108 wounded. Our enemy's loss was twelve killed and 
twenty-five woundjd. Three regiments of each brigade composed 
the assaulting party. The assaulting force of the 2nd Brigade was 
the 47th Ohio, the 111th Illinois, and the 54th Ohio regiments. 



170 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

x\t dusk General Sherman came from the opposite side of the river 
and visited the fort, then proceeded down the river to Ossabaw 
Sound across the Ogeechee River, communicating with the fleet, 
thus opening communications with the coast and establishing a 
new base for the army of the Mississippi. 

General Sherman in his Memoirs, page 196 says : "I gave 
General Hazen, in person, his order to march rapidly down the 
right bank of the Ogeechee river, and without hesitation to as- 
sault and carry Fort McAllister by storm. I knew it to be strong 
in heavy artillery as against approach from the sea, but believed 
it open and weak from the rear. I explained to General Hazen 
fully that o)i his action depended the safety of the ivhole army and 
the success of the campaign ^ 

Further on he says, "I trusted entirely to General Hazen 
and his division of infantry, the 2nd of the 15th Corps. TJie 
same old division which I had ivith mc at Shi/oh a?id J^'icksbnrg^ 
and in zvhich I felt a special pride and confidence.'''' 

General Sherman sent by way of Fortress Monroe the follow- 
ing telegram to President Lincoln. 

Savannah, Ga.^ December 22, 1864. 
To His Excellency^ President Lincoln^ Washington^ D. C. 

I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah 
with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition ; also about 
25,000 bales of cotton. W. T. SHERMAN, 

Major-General." 

Thus by gradual approaches and easy marches and one of 
the most remarkable for the limited casualties, was another step 
taken by General Sherman and his magnificent army in the 
strangulation of the so-called Southern Confederacy. General 
Sherman, however, said, "I consider this march as a means to an 
end, and not an essential act of war." Yet, perhaps, but few 
movements upon the chess board of the Civil War attracted more 
attention and was the object of more solicitude and anxiety, than 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



171 



The March to the Sea. That an army of seventy to seventy-five 
thousand men could subsist 40 to 50 days off the country throuy;h 
which it was passing ; destroy hundreds of miles of railroad, 
millions of property, capture horses, mules and cattle 1)\ the thou- 
sand ; feed and keep in good flesh the wagon mules and horses to 
the aggregate of thirty to thirty five thousand, almost partook of 
the nature of a miracle, and caused irreparable loss to our enemy. 
Such is but a slight glance at the results accomplished by our 
seaward trip. 

While General Sherman was engaged at a conference in the 
streets of Columbia, South Carolina, a squad of ex-officers who 
had escaped from the Columbia prison, approached him and 
asked for some instructions, which he gave. As they started to 
leave, one of them handed him a paper which he asked him at 
his leisure to read. This paper proved to be the song of "Sher- 
man's March to the Sea." It had been composed by Adjutant 
S. H. M. Byers of the oth Iowa Infantry, while a prisoner at 
Columbia. This song so favorably impressed General Sherman 
that he sent for Lieutenant Byers and attached him to his staff. 
Later, at Fayetteville, he sent him to Washington as a bearer of 
dispatches. Some years later Captain Byers was honored with 
the position of United States Consul to Zurich, vSwitzerland. 



ii 


II 



172 HISTORICAI. SKETCH OF THE 



"SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA." 



" Our camp-fires shone brig^ht on the mountain 

That frowned on the river below, 
As we stood by our guns in the morning, 

And eagerly watched for the foe ; 
When a rider came out of the darkness 

That hung over mountain and tree, 
And shouted : ' Boys, iip and be ready ! 

For Sherman will march to the sea ! ' 

CHORUS. 

" Then sang we a song of our chieftain, 
That echoed over river and lea ; 
And the stars of our banner shone brighter 
When Sherman marched down to the sea ! 

" Then cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman 
Went up from each valley and glen, 
And the bugles re-echoed the music 

That came from the lips of the men ; 
For we knew that the stars in our banner 

More bright in their splendor would be. 
And that blessings from Northland would greet us. 
When Sherman marched down to the sea ! 
Then sang we a song, etc. 

" Then forward, boys ! forward to battle ! 
We marched on our wearisome way ; 
We stormed the wild hills of Resaca — 
God bless those who fell on that day ! 



5.'5rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



173 



Then Kcnesaw frowned in its glory — 

Frowned down on the flag of the free ; 

Bnt the East and the West bore onr standard, 
And Sherman marched on to the sea ! 
Then sang we a song, etc. 

" Still onward we pressed, till onr banners 
Swept ont from Atlanta's grim walls. 
And the blood of the patriot dampened 
The soil where the traitor-flag falls ; 
Bnt we paused not to weep for the fallen, 

Who slept by each river and tree. 
Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel. 
As Sherman marched down to the sea ! 
Then sang we a song, etc. 

" Oh, proud was our army that morning, 

That stood where the pine darkly towers, 
When Sherman said : ' Boys, you are weary, 

But to-day fair Savannah is ours ! ' 
Then sang we a song of our chieftain. 

That echoed over river and lea ; 
And the stars in our banner shone brighter 

When Sherman camped down by the sea ! " 




174 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER XVI. 



FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO. 

From December 14th, 1864, to January 30th, 18<)5, we were 
in and about Savannah. The early part of our stay at that city 
was occupied in the routine duty peculiar to soldier life, with 
but little to break the monotony. A good portion of our time 
when off duty was spent in writing to our loved ones in the home- 
land, and to some we were trying to get to love. 

The historian had some experience in love letter-writing for a 
young man who was making love by proxy. One of his company 
had advertised for a correspondent from the homeland, in one of 
the Cincinnati daily papers. A very estimable and certainly a 
polished lady replied, for the amusement of the affair no doubt, to 
this advertisement. The young man to whom it was addressed, 
realizing that he could not possibly reply to this letter in the vein 
that it merited, asked the writer to write for him, and in this way 
he made love by proxy. Her letter gave a very ludicrous descrip- 
tion of herself, which, to say the least of it, had it been true, 
would have made her a very hideous personage. The reply was 
in about the same line of thought, and in describing the young 
man he was made to appear to have feet so large that brogans 
could not be procured for him, and he of necessity, wore cracker- 
boxes for shoes. His mouth being unusually large, he could take 
in a quart of beans, whether cooked or raw ; his eyes were like 
saucers, and more of the same sort, with the concluding thought 
that he had been somewhat unfortunate in battle and had had his 
nose shot off, and the surgeon in the hurly-burly had replaced it 
upside down, but in that position it served a double purpose, as he 
could smell both up and down at the same time. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 175 

Near the close of December, it was apparent that our seeming 
inactivity was nearing an end. It was now evident tliat active 
preparations were being made for a further advance through the 
heart of Rebelliondom. The boys seemingly and intuitively under- 
stood that we should strike next the hotbed of secession, South 
Carolina. All were anxious, and hoping for this advance, and the 
language applied to this particular state was neither elegant, po- 
lite nor christian. General Sherman received these instructions 
from General Grant : " Break up the railroads in South and 
North Carolina and join the armies operating against Richmond 
as soon as you can," and it is needless to state that this order was 
strictly obeyed, " and then some." Smoke by day and the glare 
of light by night were not furnished our army as they were the 
Israelitish army of old, but it was there all the same; and taking 
it for granted that this little volume will be read by those who are 
capable of drawing their own conclusions, we will refrain from 
further details. 

On the morning of January .'iOth, 1865, we were aroused by 
the reveille at 5 a. m. at our camp at Grey's Hill, seven miles from 
Beaufort, S. C. We moved out on the road at 7 a. m. The roads 
were very good until we crossed over to the mainland, which we 
did by means of a long causeway and pontoon bridge. These 
roads were very much worn by the trains of the 1 7th Corps, which 
had preceded the 15th Corps. We passed through a line of fortifi- 
cations on our march during the day and entered the village of 
Pocotaligo. This was simply a railroad station on the Charleston 
and Savannah Railroad. We camped at 5 p. m. behind a line of 
works which had been constructed by the 17th Corps in the vicin- 
ity of the station. We had marched fourteen miles. 

Reveille sounded at 6 a. m. on the 31st, but information soon 
got abroad that we should remain in camp all day and night. 
Here, much to our gratification, we received mail from home. 
This was one of the welcome visitors of army life. 



176 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

February 1st we had reveille at 5 a. m. Our brigade, having^ 
the advance, passed through McPhersonville. Every house in the 
village was burning. It was remarkable how soon the soldiery 
realized that they had struck the state line of South Carolina, and 
believing that this state was largely responsible for the Rebellion, 
they had no meic)' upon any citizen or property of the state. Our 
line of march throughout this state was marked by smoke in the 
day, and the glare of fire by night. The march was slow and 
tedious, being in the rear of the Third Division. The roads were 
very bad. We camped at the Store Cross-roads near Duck Creek 
and the Salkatatchie Swamp at 7 p. m. Two regiments of the 
First Brigade had a skirmish during the day. Three of the men 
were wounded. The enemy left their killed upon the road. We 
found Wheeler's cavalry in our front doing what they could to 
obstruct our further march. We heard cannonading on our right, 
caused by the advance of the 17th Corps. We had plenty of for- 
age and marched eighteen miles. The 111th Illinois and the 13th 
Indiana were sent one mile to the rear of our camp to take a strong 
defensive position in the event of an attack during the night. 

Reveille for the 3rd was sounded at 6 a. m. It was raining, 
and, luckily, we were instructed to remain in camp all day. The 
111th Illinois and the 13th Indiana returned to camp, having been 
relieved by the Third Division. A slight skirmish took place 
with the Third Brigade and resulted in the enemy being driven 
from the creek. One man of the 48th Illinois was killed. It 
rained all day. The 54th was sent to the rear with the wagon 
trains for rations, and they conveyed a few sick and wounded. 

The reveille called us to our feet on February 4th at 6 a. m. 
The 53rd Ohio was sent out to repair the roads. We marched at 
12 m. across Duck Creek, going into camp at Anglesy Post-office 
at dusk, having marched eight miles. One of the 83rd Indiana 
men, detailed to Division Headquarters, was wounded while out 
foraging. We learned in the evening that the 17th Corps had 
crossed the Salkatatchie Swamps, capturing two cannons and a 
large number of prisoners. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 177 

Reveille was sounded at 4:30 a. m. February 5th. We pro- 
ceded on our line of march at daybreak. We were delayed con- 
siderably by the roads having to be corduroyed. About 9 a. m. 
we came up with the Third Division, which was crossing the 
Salkatatchie Swamps and Beaufort Bridge. We moved through 
an excellent line of rebel breast works and went into camp one 
mile from the river at 12 m. The weather was cool. 

We were aroused on February 6th at 6 a. m. The brigade 
moved to the right of the road so as to be able to move at a mo- 
ment's notice without interfering with the passing columns of 
the 20th Corps. The 37th Ohio was sent in advance to repair 
the roads. We marched at 12 m. moving rapidly, and crossed 
the Lesser Salkatatchie River at dusk and went into camp one 
mile beyond. Our camp was within six miles of Baniberg, a 
station of the Branchville and Augusta Railroad. 

On the 7th of February we had reveille at daylight, and 
marched at 6:30 a. m. The roads were bad, and we moved slowly 
with the First Division in the advance. The town of Bamberg 
was reached with but slight opposition. In fact, our opposition 
for some time had been of such a character, in comparison with 
what we had gone through with on the Atlanta campaign, that 
we thought this was a picnic. We camped upon the north side 
of the town, and constructed rifle pits. Wheeler's cavalry had 
been in the town ahead of us, and had carried off all the valuables 
and eatables. What was left our troops appropriated. 

We were aroused on February 8th at 7 a. m. At 8 a. m. 
orders were received to hold the brigade in readiness to move at a 
moment's notice, and we moved at 12 m. down the road to Car- 
ron's bridge, crossing the South Edisto River. The roads were 
swampy. The 54th Ohio was sent in advance to reconnoitre. 
They found the bridge destroyed, and the enemy in force with 
rifle pits. The swamps were some 300 yards wide and covered 
with water waist deeo in many places. We went into camp at 
8 p. m., having marched eight miles. 



178 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

The bugle sounded the wake up call at 4:30 a. m., and we 
were ready to take up the line of march at daylight, which we 
did on the road to Roman's Bridge across the Edisto. We 
marched rapidly a distance of 14 miles, arriving at the crossing 
at 12 m. We found the bridge destroyed, and the enemy's pick- 
ets upon the opposite bank. The 13th Indiana, which had been 
on fatigue duty was relieved by the 111th Illinois, The advance 
of the First Brigade effected a crossing before daik. One man 
was wounded and one killed. 

February 10th, we were astir at 6 in the morning. The 53rd 
Ohio was sent in advance to repair roads. A pontoon bridge 
was constructed about 2 p. m., and we crossed with the brigade 
at 4 p. m. The swamps on the opposite side were covered with 
water ior half a mile. We camped about one mile beyond the 
river and constructed rifle pits. The enemy being in force in our 
front, the men were ordered to fall into line with accoutrements 
at 4 a. m., and remained so until daylight. 

On the 11th we were ready for breakfast at 4 a. m.; formed 
line of battle in accordance with orders of the night previous, and 
marched at 7 a. m. We camped at Poplar Springs at 3 p. m., hav- 
ing marched thirteen miles. 

On the 12th we were awakened by the reveille at 5 a. m,, and 
marched to the North Edisto. The 2nd Brigade having the advance, 
the 53rd Ohio was deployed on the bank and found the enemy be- 
hind works and the bridge burned. A skirmish ensued and three 
men of the 53rd Ohio were wounded and one killed, ( C. Burt, of 
Co. C ). The 47th Ohio was sent two miles down the river to 
cross and flank the works on the left. The enemy gave way and 
the 111th Illinois crossed on the right. The whole command was 
then moved forward, routing the enemy. We captured forty-three 
soldiers and three commissioned officers. Our pontoon bridge was 
laid by 6 p. m., and then we moved over and constructed works on 
the opposite side of the river. Afterwards we received orders to 
move five miles farther on the ;'oad to Orangeburg, and went into 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INEANTRY. 179 

camp at 10 p. m. The entire command was wet from their 
wading aronnd in the swamps and the river. One man of the 
1 1 1th Illinois was mortally wonnded in the skirmish at the river. 
The 53rd Ohio did the principal skirmishing with the enemy and 
most of the time were in water to their waists. 

The reveille called ns from rest on the 13th and we marched 
at 8 a. m., to within a mile and a half of Orangebnrg. Here we' 
made a tnrn, moving directly toward Columbia, South Carolina. 
We went into camp at 5 p. m., having marched fourteen miles. 

February 14th, we had reveille at 6 a. m., and marched at 7 
o'clock. We moved rapidly, passing Sand River Postoflfice, and 
went into camp within two miles of the Little Congaree River at 
5 p. m., after having marched fourteen miles through the rain. 
The First Division was in the advance, and had considerable skir- 
mishing. 

On the 15th, we were aroused at 6 a. m., and marched at 8. 
Coming up with the 1st Division, we found them engaging the 
enemy across the river for its passage. The enemy had elegant 
works. The whole of the 2nd Division moved to the left at 3 p. m., 
flanking the enemy's works. Our command moved up, and 
passed the works, driving the rebels to their second line immedi- 
ately in front of Columbia. Here we constructed works, but the 
53rd Ohio did not take part, as we lay in an open rice field receiv- 
ing the shells of the enemy from the opposite bank of the Great 
Congaree River throughout the night. There was more profanity 
at the shelling that night than on any previous night of our army 
history. The boys were fatigued and wanted rest. 

At daylight on the Kith our skirmishers were advancing. The 
enemy had retired from their works, crossing the Great Congaree 
during the night, and destroying the bridge after them. The skir- 
mishers from the opposite bank were firing upon our brigade. 
The 53rd Ohio was detailed to keep a battery quiet while our 
own battery passed over the open ground to the bluffs opposite 



180 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

the city. Soon Captain De Grasse had his battery in position 
and opened npon the city and the enemy's lines about the city. 
The division followed the battery by a circuitous route over the 
swamps and pushed on to the crossing over the Saluda River. 
About 4 p. m. the Third Brigade secured the opposite bank and 
the pontoon bridge was laid by 5 p. m; the command crossed and 
.pushed rapidly on to the Broad River. We went into camp on 
the banks of the Broad River. 

February 17th we had reveille at 7 a. m. After a sharp 
skirmish one brigade of the First Division secured a crossing 
over the Broad River, pushed on and when within a mile of the 
city the mayor and a delegation of citizens surrendered it. The 
pontoon was laid by 3 p. m. The division moved across 
at 5 p. m., passing through the city at dusk. Large 
numbers of our soldiers who had been in the city dur- 
ing the afternoon were in a drunken condition, and they with 
the citizens were engaged in endeavoring to extinguish the fire 
among the cotton thrown into the streets by the rebel authorities 
and fired previous to our approach. The wind began to blow 
furiously. We went into camp about half a mile beyond the 
city. At p. m. there was an extensive conflagration in the 
town. It was seemingly enveloped in flames. The soldiers were 
wild with excitement and were busily bringing plunder into 
camp. 

On the 18th reveille sounded at 7 a. m. The past night was 
fearful in the extreme. The best portion of the city was entirely 
destroyed, causing immense loss and destitution. The citizens 
and rebel authorities were largely to blame for it. The citizens 
issued whisky freely to the soldiers and the rebel authorities 
set fire to the cotton. We received instruction to destroy one 
mile of the Charleston Railroad, began the work at 7. a. m. and 
finished it at 3 p. m. We marched out on the road to Eight 
Mile Station ; again destroyed some road, and went into camp 
at dusk. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 181 



February HJth, we were awakened at 5 a. m. and worked all 
day on the destruction of the double track. We also destroyed a 
a large turpentine factory. We were grratified by the news, from 
a refugee, of the evacuation of Charleston. We finished our task 
of destruction before evening and returned to Columbia. 

P'ebruary 20th, we were routed out at 5 a. m. and were on 
the march at 7 o'clock. We passed through the city and on to 
the Camden Road. A large number of refugees, black and white, 
followed the command out of the city. We left Camden Road 
at the 12 mile post, and moving west went into camp at dnsk, 
having marched 20 miles. 

On February 21st we were awakened at 5 a. m., and were 
marching at 6 a. m., with the Fourth Division in the advance. 
We marched slowly, the roads being bad. We moved north and 
west, passing between Waynesboro and Longtown, and camped at 
11 o'clock, having marched 21 miles, and yet we were only about 
25 miles from Columbia, although we had marched 42 miles. 

The 22nd of P'ebruary we had reveille at 5 a, m. and marched 
due east, struck the Wateree River at noon and effected a crossino- 
without opposition. The pontoon being laid by 4 p. m., we 
marched two miles beyond the river camping for the nio-lit after 
marching seven miles. 

On the 23rd we were summoned by the bugle to arise at 
6 a. m. The First and Third Divisions marched past in the ad- 
vance. Our division moved at noon, passing through Liberty 
Hill, a small but wealthy village, situate upon the Sante Hill, 
We went into camp at dark, having marched eight miles throuo-h 
the rain. In the evening an incident occurred which will be 
long remembered by the boys of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division. 
One of the female refngees was taken sick. She was made as 
comfortable as possible in one of our army wagons, and ere long 
the 2nd Brigade had a baby recruit. The boy was named Lib- 
erty Sherman. 



182 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



February 24th reveille sounded at 5 a. m. and we marched at 
6 o'clock. The Fourth Division had the advance. The roads 
were bad and it was raining. We passed within a mile and a 
half of Camden, over Hobkirk's Hill, and near the battle ground 
made famous by Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War, 
and also the locality where De Kalb' was killed. Our for- 
agers brought in a good deal of grape juice, which was found in 
large quantities in this gripe growing country, and ere morning a 
considerable number of our boys were very hilarious. We 
marched during the day 22 miles. 

On the 25th the reveille woke us at 6 a. m. and we marched' 
at 9 oclock. The roads were bad and it was still raining. We 
marched to Pine Tree Church, going into camp at 12 m., having 
marched eight miles. We had quite a thunderstorm this evening. 

February 26th we had reveille at 6 a. m., and marched on 
the Tylersville road to Lynche's Creek. Owing to misdirec- 
tion by the engineers, the 53rd Ohio, which was in the advance, 
took the wrong road and had to retrace its steps to reach the 
brigade. We camped at Lynche's Creek at 12 m., having march- 
ed G miles. The creek was so swollen that the trains could not 
cross. The command waded the swamps and creek and went into 
camp one mile beyond the latter. We were apprised in the 
evening that the enemy was in force in front, when we fell back 
to near the creek and constructed breast-works. 

February 27th, the bugle sounded the wake-up at 6 a. m. 
The creek was still impassable. We began to repair the road by 
corduroying it as the creek was now running out. 

February 28th the reveille sounded at 6 a. m. The creek was 
still impassable, but the water was falling slowly. We com- 
menced the construction of a bridge on trestle work and worked 
all day. 

March 1st, we were out at 6 a. m. It had rained all night, 
but our bridge was nearly finished. The wagons crossed at 3 p. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 183 



111., with indications that the water would be shallow enough by 
morning for the trains to cross. 

March 2nd, we were again on our feet at 6 a. ni. We march- 
ed to New Carthage, and halted until the remainder of the division 
and the trains came up with us, when we once more took to the 
road, not halting until 9 p. m., and that for supper on what was 
called Beach Creek. We were then ordered to cross the creek on 
pontoons at midnight. The orders, however, were afterwards 
countermanded, and we remained until morning. 

On the morning of the 3rd we had reveille at 4 a. m. We 
crossed the bridge at <> a. m. in the rear of the First Division. We 
moved rapidly , and at 5 p. m. had marched 21 miles. We were 
on the road to Cheraw. The enemy had on our approach evacu- 
ated the town, and the 17th Corps occupied it. Our brigade 
camped within five miles of the city. 

On March 4th we were not disturbed until 7 a. m., and we 
marched one hour later. We passed through the rebel line of 
works and crossed a creek called Thompson, and entered the town 
of Cheraw at 5 p. m. 

On the 5th we were again left in peace until 7 a. m. The 
weather was clear and cool. Our troops were busy during the day 
in the destruction of Cheraw. Our enemy had left 23 guns, a 
large amount of ammunition, one locomotive and some machinery. 
One of the guns captured was a present to the state from a native 
of South Carolina, but now a citizen of England. General Sher- 
man took this gun through to communication and presented it to 
President Lincoln as an inaugural present. This town is noted as 
the burial place of Marion and Sumpter. Quite a number of the 
boys visited the tombs. We crossed the great Pedee River at 
dusk, and marched three miles beyond on the Lafayette road, 
camping at 10 o'clock. 

On the 6th of March, the reveille was sounded at (> a. m., 
but we remained in camp all day, thus allowing the 20th Corps to 



184 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

pass by, taking- the advance. On the 7th we had reveille at 6 a. 
m., but did not take up our line of inarch until 12 ni., going nine 
miles and camping at 5 p. m. March 8th, the wake-up bugle was 
heard at 4 a. m. and we marched out on the Laurel Hill road. We 
were drenched by rain all day. The roads were very bad. We 
camped at Laurel Hill at dusk, having marched thirteen miles. 
March 9th, reveille at 6 a. m., and we marched at 7 o'clock to the 
Lumber River. The roads were bad and seemed to have no bot- 
tom. The pontoon was laid and we crossed over at 3 p. m., and 
marched six miles to Rawdensville. It was still raining and the 
roads became almost impassable. Went into camp at about dusk, 
having marched fourteen miles. 

We had reveille at 6 a. m. on March 10th It was still rain- 
ing and the roads were swampy. We spent most of the day cor- 
duroying them. The trains reached our command, and we 
moved out at 4 p. m., marching one mile and camping. Reveille 
at 5:30 a. m. on the 11th, and at 7 a. m. we were marching. The 
roads were bad, and we moved slowly. We crossed Cock Fish 
Creek at dusk, and marched on the road to Fayetteville, going 
into camp at 10 o'clock after marching 13 miles. 

March 12th we were called up by the bugle at 5 a. m., and 
marched at 7. We moved five miles, going into camp at noon in 
the vicinity of Fayetteville. We visited the town during the 
evening. It was principally noted for a large arsenal. 

March 13th, we were called at 7 a. m., but remained in camp 
all day. At 6 a. m., on the 14th we were called out with orders to 
march at 8 a. m. The time, however, was postponed and we did 
not string out upon the road until 4 p. m. We crossed the Cape 
Fear River on pontoons at dusk, and went into camp one mile 
from the river. The arsenal at Fayetteville was destroyed by fire 
during the day. 

March 15tli, we had reveille at G a. m., and marched at 12 m. 
on the Goldsboro road in a severe rain and thunderstorm. We 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 185 



went into camp at 5 o'clock at Bethany Camp Oronnd, having 
marched 12 miles. On March Kith the reveille sounded at 5 a. 
m., and we marched at i>, crossing the Black River, where we re- 
mained during the day, camping at Ray's Store, five miles west of 
the main Goldsboro Road. The roads were bad, and we marched 
only 12 miles. On the 17th we were up again at o a. m. and 
marched at 7 o'clock on bad roads. We moved to the Goldsboro 
road, marching six miles, and going into camp at noon near Bea- 
man's Cross Roads. We were now just 40 miles from Raleigh 
and Goldsboro. 

On the 18th we were summoned by the reveille at G a. m., 
but did not march until 2 p. m. We moved upon the road leading 
north and east, but very slowly, as the country was swampy. We 
heard heavy cannonading on the left during the evening. We 
marched until 11 p. m., when we received orders to return imme- 
diately to the assistance of the 14th Corps. Johnston with 40,000 
men had attacked them and was causing considerable anxiety. 
We marched all night. March the 19th, we arrived at the battle- 
ground of the 14th Corps at daylight, having marched 22 miles. All 
was quiet, the enemy having fallen back. The command moved 
into position and camped for the night. 

March 20th we were up at 5 a. m., marched three miles, and 
went into position on the front line and the right of the 14th 
Corps. Several were wounded during the evening. There was 
slight skirmishing while constructing works. 

On March 21st we had reveille at G a. m., and proceeded at 
once to advance our skirmishers on the enemy's lines. Johnston, 
however, had made a hurried retreat when he discovered that the 
17th Corps had struck his rear at Bentonville. We marched at 
noon towards Goldsboro, and went into camp within five miles of 
Fallen Creek, having marched 10 miles. We were out again at G 
a. m. on the 22nd. We marched six and a half miles, crossing 
Fallen Creek, when we discovered that we had no orders to march 
and halted, going into camp at 10 o'clock. 



186 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



On the 23rd we had reveille at 6 a. m„ and proceeded npon the 
line of march at 7, reaching Neuse River at noon, crossed on pon- 
toon bridge, and went into camp on the Newberne Railroad. On 
the 24th we reached Goldsboro and camped. Here ended our 
campaign for the Carolinas. 

Since leaving Savannah we had trudged over 500 miles 
throngh Dixie, capturing over 100 prisoners with their arms. Our 
losses were : 

8 enlisted men killed, 
17 enlisted men wounded. 
10 enlisted men missing. 

The missing, no doubt, were prisoners of war. 

Brigadier-General W. T. Sherman, in his official report of 
this campaign, says, "I cannot close this report without express- 
ino- my admiration for the patience and courage the officers and 
regiments of this brigade have shown during the long and arduous 
campaign which has just closed. Often without bread, and many 
of them barefooted and destitute of clothing to make them com- 
fortable, inspired by the zeal of true patriots, they have cheerfully 
performed all their duties." 

The troops of this army as they filed into Goldsboro were 
certainly a motley looking crowd. They were mounted upon all 
sorts of animals; dressed in various costumes ; and some were so 
scantily dressed that they would scarcely have been admitted into 
good society. General Sherman's attention being called to some 
of the boys who had only drawers and no pants, he said, '' Yes, but 
see what legs ! I should be tempted to trade both of mine for 
one of theirs." 

In reference to these barefooted men. General Jones in his 
official report says, "they deserved the sympathy of all who wit- 
nessed it, at the same time they were the last to complain." An- 
other writer quotes this remark of one of the men : "My shoes 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 



187 



gave out eleven days ago, sir ; but 1 don't care, my feet are getting 
used to it ; but the corduroy is awfully hard to travel over." 

The southern people who were following the army, and 
those denominated "bummers," had borrowed of our erring south- 
ern brothers their buggies, hacks, and in fact everything upon 
wheels, and loaded them witli ihe rich edibles of the country. 



1§ 


11 



188 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER XVII. 



FROM GOLDSBORO TO THE MUSTER OUT. 

March 25th, Goldsbufo. Our army was principally employed 
in reorganization, i. e., in clothing onr nearly naked army, that 
for about ten months had been upon the tramp ; in supplying our 
ordnance trains and general supply trains, condemning the sick 
and lame animals, and in fact in weeding out all unnecessary im- 
pediments to another successful campaign. Some idea can be 
gleaned of this enormous task if it is stated that 25,000 pairs of 
shoes had replaced a limited number of worn out ones, and 75,000 
suits of clothing had been distributed to equip our army. Add to 
this a large amount of provisions for the army and provender for 
the animals, and you have but a faint conception of what is requir- 
ed to subsist an army of 100,000 souls. 

The location of our camp in and about Goldsboro from a sani- 
tary point was excellent ; water abundant, land rolling , and the 
scenery i'^spiring. It appeared, however, from surface indications 
that our stay here was not to be of long duration. Appearances 
seemed to indicate that the war would end on the basis of a restored 
Union. The existing feeling was that not more than one more 
campaign could at best be reasonably expected. It seemed as 
though, with General Grant hammering at General Lee's front, 
and General Sherman's 100,000 seasoned veterans threatening to 
pounce upon his rear in the near future, the controlling powers of 
our enemy ought to hasten to arrange for peace if for no other 
than humanitarian reasons. The blood and treasure of both the 
North and the South had been expended freely upon the altar of 
the country in the effort of our erring Southern brother to erect a 
separate government. While this vast army of ours, if it had it 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 189 

in its power, would end the war on lionoray:)le terms, yet should it 
be necessary in order to accomplish the recognition of United 
States authority, to shed further blood, woe to the foe who should 
coujpel it This was the sentiment. 

The 26th and 27th of March were occupied in completing our 
camp. On the 27th, our brigade accompanied the division sup- 
ply train on a toraging expedition, more especially for our horses 
and mules than for the soldiers, as the bovs understood how to 
take care of themselves. We went some ten miles upon the right 
of the right wing of the army and "struck it rich " for both man 
and beast. We returned at dark, tired and hungry for black coffee, 
hardtack, and some of the smoked hams we had dug up that had 
been hidden in the swamps. One of the boys, not religiously 
but humorously inclined, pronounced a so-called blessing as we 
squatted upon the ground to partake of our supper : 

" Oh ! Thou who blest the loaves and fishes, 
Look down upon these old tin dishes, 
By Thy great power these dishes smash, 
Bless each of us and damn this hash." 

March 29th was spent by the historian on the picket line. It 
rained nearly all day and night. All was quiet in camp and 
front. 

The time from April first to the ninth inclusive was quietly 
spent in camp in the performance of the usual army duties. 

On the morning of the 10th we had reveille at 7 a. m., and 
the column marched out at 8 a. m. There was considerable ex- 
citement, caused by rumors flying thick and fast as to our objec- 
tive point, and as to the whereabouts of Johnston's army. Yet 
there was pictured in the faces of all the rank and file that stern 
determination to see the end of it, and that each should be one of 
the units in that grand finale. As General Grant was subsisting 
his army over the Raleigh and Danville Railroad, it was conceded 
that the objective point was first to sever that communication with 



190 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

the South, and that it could be most effectually accomplished at 
the junction of that road at Ashboro, (30 miles from Raleigh. 
While our boys were elated over the rumored surrender of Lee's 
army, yet the prospect of another raid or chase after Joe Johnston 
was somewhat discouraging. The private soldiers of the rank 
generally carried as much intelligence beneath their hats as was 
to be found, proportionately, among those who were fortunate 
enough to be in command. Hence it was understood that Gen- 
eral Johnston was possessed of the ability to retreat as well as fight, 
and the rank and file felt as they expressed it: "God only knows 
where we shall go in this final pursuit of Johnston, or where and 
how it will end. " 

It rained all day, but we marched 15 miles, passing through 
the small village of Pikeville, and went into camp weary and wet 
to the skin. It rained most of the night. 

On the morning of April 11th we broke camp at 9 a. m., and 
passing over an exceedingly poor country, crossed Little River 
about night fall, going into camp at 8 p. m. 

On the morning of April 12th as the command was sum- 
moned to march , it was again currently rumored that General 
Lee had surrendered to General Grant. This announcement ran 
from mouth to mouth until finally as the column was about to 
move, as we thought, we were formed in hollow square and the 
following Special Field Order No. 54 was read to the command : 

Headquarters Alilitary Division of the ^ 
Mississippi^ in the Field. \ 

Smith field, North Carolina, April 12, 1865. J 

The general commanding announces to the army that he has 
official notice from General Grant that General Lee surrendered 
to him his entire army, on the 9th inst. at Appomattox Court 
House, Virginia. 

Glory to God and our country, and all honor to our comrades 
in arms, toward whom we are marching. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 191 



A little more labor, a little more toil on our part, the great 
race is won, and onr Ciovernment stands regenerated, after four 
long vears of war. W. T. SHERMAN, 

Major-General, Commanding." 

The announcement was the signal for an outburst such 
as it is not accorded to any one to witness more than once in 
a lifetime. The grizzly veterans, while expecting it were 
surprised. They shouted, they yelled, they prayed, they 
cried, they hugged and kissed each other. The thought of peace, 
the surrender of General Johnston to our army, our return to 
home and family, was enough to cause rejoicing. 

On the morning of the 13th we broke camp at 11 a. m. and 
marched 18 miles, camping one and a half miles from the Neuse 
River. As a result of the foraging of the writer, our mess enjoyed 
the following menu for supper, ham, biscuits (minus butter-milk) 
coffee, molasses, potatoes, and a goose which had been with Noah 
in the ark, the latter, however, was not cooked until night so 
that it might serve as lunch for the next day. 

On the morning of April 14th we had reveille at 6, and 
moved out at 7 a. m., crossing the Neuse River, we stacked arms 
and waited for the Third Division of the 15th Corps to pass by. 
We moved at 10 a. m , and passed through Raleigh, the capital 
of North Carolina. This was a small city, but wealthy, contain- 
ino- a o-ood state house and a rather modern insane asylum. 
General Sherman with some of his staff was inspecting the 
asylum, when one of the inmates with a disordered mind de- 
manded of him his walking papers. The victim declared he 
had remained there long enough and wanted his papers. 
The General spoke kindly to him in these words : "When the 
papers come up to me in regular shape, I will attend to them. 
Meanwhile you must be quiet and put your faith in God"" 
"In God?" answered the man, fixing his keen gray eye upon 
the face of his interlocutor. "Yes, in God ; you certainly be- 



192 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

lieve in Him and His power to take care of all of us." 
The old man who had been born and reared in Massachusetts, 
hitched his body a little upon one side, but did not remove his 
fixed gaze from the General's face as he rejoined: "In God ? Well, 
I think I do believe in a sort of Divine Providence; but when it 
comes to the question of power, it strikes me that for a man who 
has been walking about over the country whipping these cursed 

rebels, you have a d d sight more power than anybody I 

know of." At this the General smiled and turned away. 

We passed four miles beyond the city of Raleigh, camping 
upon a hillside. During the night it rained very hard, drenching 
us to the skin, as we had no tents up. 

Upon April loth General Sherman received couriers from 
General Johnston transmitting letters, of which the following is a 
copy : 

" The results of the recent campaign in Virginia have changed 
the relative military condition of the belligerents. I am, there- 
fore, induced to address you in this form of inquiry whether, to 
stop the further effusion of blood and devastation of property, you 
are willing to make a temporary suspension of active operations, 
and to communicate to Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding 
the armies of the United States, the request that he will take like 
action in regard to other armies, the object being to permit the 
civil authorities to enter into the needful arrangements to ter- 
minate the existing war." 

To which General Sherman replied, as follows : 

" Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi^ ] 
" In the Field, \ 

" Raleigh, N. C, April 14///, 1865. j 

" General J. E. Johnston, Conwianding Confederate Army: 

" General — I have this moment received your communica- 
tion of this date. I am fully empowered to arrange with you any 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 193 

terms for the suspension of further hostilities between the armies 
commanded by you and those commanded by myself, and will be 
willing to confer with you to that end. I will limit the advance 
of my main column, to-morrow, to Morrisville, and the cavalry 
to the University, and expect that you will also maintain the pres- 
ent position of your forces until each has notice of a failure to 
agree. 

'' That a basis of action may be had, I undertake to abide by 
the same terms and conditions as were made by Generals Grant 
and Lee at Appomattox Court House, on the 9th instant, relative 
to our two armies ; and, furthermore, to obtain from General Grant 
an order to suspend the movements of any troops from the direc- 
tion of Virginia. General Stoneman is under my command, and 
my order will suspend any devastation or destruction contemplated 
by him. I will add that I really desire to save the people of 
North Carolina the damage they would sustain by the march of 
this army through the central or western parts of the State. 
" I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 

"W. T. SHERMAN, 

" Major-General." 

The result of this correspondence was an interview between 
Generals Sherman and Johnston at or near Durham Station, 
North Carolina, on the morning of the 17th. Just as General 
Sherman was about to start on his mission of a conference with 
General Johnston he was handed by the telegraph operator a tele- 
gram from the Secretary of War, announcing the assassination of 
President Lincoln. The general did not impart the information 
of the telegram until his return from the confeience. The result 
of the armistice was unsatisfactory and is a part of the history of 
the country, but not a part of the history of the 53rd Ohio. On 
the return of General Sherman he issued Special Field Order No. 
56, to wit : 



194 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

" Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi^ 

" in the Fields 
Raleigh, N. C, April \lth, 18(>5. 

"The general commanding announces, with pain and sorrow, 
that on the evening of the 14th inst., at the theater in Washing 
ton City, his Excellency the President of the United States, Mr. 
Lincoln, was assassinated by one who uttered the state motto of 
Virginia. At the same lime, the Secretary of State, Mr. Seward, 
while suffering with a broken arm, was also stabbed by another 
murderer in his own house, but still survives, and his son was 
wounded, supposed fatally. It is believed, by persons capable of 
judging, that other high officers were designed to share the same 
fate. Thus it seems that our enemy, despairing of meeting us in 
open, manly warfare, begins to resort to the assassin's tools. 

"Your general does not wish to infer that this is universal, 
for he knows that the great mass of the Confederate army would 
scorn to sanction such acts, but he believes it the legitimate conse- 
sequence of rebellion against rightful authority. 

" We have met every phase which this war has assumed, and 
must now be prepared for it in its last and worst shape, that of as- 
sassins and guerrillas ; but woe unto the people who seek to ex- 
pend their wild passions in such a manner, for there is but one 
dread result ! 

" By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman, 

"L. M. DAYTON, 
" Assistant Adjutant-General. " 

During the evening of the 17th and during the whole of the 
18th the assassination was the only topic of conversation with the 
soldiers. It was evident that, if another opportunity was given 
the Army of the Mississippi to meet the opposing army of General 
Johnston, that revenge would be sweet, as all or nearly all said : 
*' Let's carry the black flag into our next engagement." 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 195 

It had been ag^reed by and between Generals Sherman and 
Johnston that 48 hours notice should be given by either party 
should it again become necessary to resume hostilities. This no- 
tice was served upon General Johnston on the 26th, together with 
the information that the former treaty had not been ratified by 
the United States Government. Preparations were at once made 
for a general advance all along the line. General Johnston 
thoroughly understood what it meant, and with all the dis- 
couragements and defeats before him he decided to ask again for 
a further cessation of hostilities. During this interview the sur- 
render of his army was arranged for, so upon the morning of 
April 27th, in the year of our Lord 1865, the war of the rebellion 
was virtually ended. 

To depict the scenes following the announcement of the sur- 
render would require descriptive powers of the highest order. 
It is even doubtful whether words could describe them or wheth- 
er an artist could portray them upon canvass. The southern 
armies had been destroyed ; their country impoverished by the 
march of our army through a thousand miles of the south, with 
the destruction of almost everything within sight that could pos- 
sibly be of any use to them. The task of the rehabilitation of 
their country was now before them, a just punishment for their 
rebellion against one of the best governments beneath the sun. 

On the 28th of April we received orders to take up our line 
of march to Washington, D. C. "Homeward bound ! thank God !" 
was the general exclamation. If this peace accomplished at 
such a sacrifice was the cause of rejoicing to our friends in the 
northland, what must it have been to those who fought the gi- 
gantic rebellion to a finish? This army of 100,000 had been vic- 
torious upon about every battlefield, our comradeship was that of a 
great family, and we rejoiced that we could soon be at home, in 
the enjoyment of all that that blessed word means ; yet, when 
the hour of separation came, many and many a tear was shed. 
The friendship shot into us by actual contact for four years of 
horror will not be obliterated while reason sits enthroned. 



196 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



On April 29th we took up our line of march toward Washing- 
ton, by way of Richmond. We marched 12 miles, passing through 
a poor section of North Carolina. The weather was delightful. 
We crossed the Neuse River at 2 p. m. 

On Sunday morning, April 30th, , General O. O. Howard, 
true to his Christian instincts, ordered the loth and 17th Corps to 
observe the Lord's Day, as the war was over. To us, the weary 
and way worn, how great was the joy ! 

On the morning of May 1st we had reveille at 4 o'clock and 
marched at 5:30; we passed through Rollsville and camped at 
Lewisburg after marching eighteen miles. May 2nd, the bugle 
sounded at 6 a. m. and we broke camp at 8, and marched until 5 
p. m., covering some twelve miles. May 3rd we were up at 5 and 
on the road at <> a. m., passing through Warrentown during the 
day. A novel and inspiring sight greeted us as we were passing 
through this village. A squad of ex-Confederate officers stood by the 
wayside and reviewed us en route. If within a few short days 
these same officers had presented themselves to our view, our com- 
pliments and cards would have been tossed to them with a minie 
ball ; but in lieu of such acts of legalized murder such interrogat- 
ories and remarks as these were made : " How are you, John- 
nies?" "Are you glad you are alive?" " Hov/ do you enjoy 
peace ? " '' Did you find your wives and babies well ? " " We 
are on the road to see our wives, babies, mothers, fathers, and 
sweethearts." "Say, Johnny, we abandoned a lot of lame mules 
at Raleigh, go and get them and go to farming." And much 
more of the same character. Here for the first time in months our 
eyes were greeted by the sight of refined womanhood. The first 
thought of many a one was "This is Paradise Regained," with angels 
in abundance. To see these haggard veterans tip their hats in 
recognition of virtue and womanhood would have softened the 
hardest heart, and he who would have attempted anything else 
would have done so at the risk of his life. Patriotism, bravery, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 197 

and manhood are but synonymous terms. We marched during the 
day twenty-seven miles. 

On May 4th we had reveille at (I a. m. and marched at 7, but 
stacked arms until 1 p. m., and then proceeded to cross the 
Roanoke River on a pontoon bridj^e. Soon thereafter we crossed 
the state line of North Carolina into "old Virginny." After 
marching eighteen miles we went into camp for the night. 

On the morning of the 5th we were awakened by reveille to 
find it raining, but we moved out at 7 a. m., and marched twenty- 
eight miles. May (Uh, reveille sounded at 5 and we marched at 
G a. m. We passed Dinwiden Court-house and inarched eighteen 
miles, camping in and around a fort and fortified position formerly 
held by our adversaries. Sunday, May 7th, we marched six miles 
and camped at 10 o'clock within half a mile of Petersburg, with 
the Second Division in the lead. On the 8th we rested through- 
out the day, occupying most of the time in washing our rags and 
tatters, ourselves included. 

On the 9th we had reveille at 6 a. m., and marched at 7:30, 
passing through Petersburg. This had been a nice city, but the 
havoc of war was everywhere visible. House after house had been 
riddled by cannon shot. In passing through the village we were 
reviewed by Generals Howard, Logan, Sheridan, and Hazen. We 
marched nineteen miles and camped. The 10th, 11th and 12th 
were occupied in the usual line of inarch, covering in the three 
days something like forty odd miles. 

On the 13th we moved at 6 a. m., and passed through Man- 
chester, a manufacturing city on the James River. We crossed 
the river on pontoons, and passed through the city of Richmond 
and had a fair view of those hated prisons, Libby, Belle Island, 
and Castle Thunder. 

.\.good part of Richmond was in ashes. If our army could 
have had a few hours to stay, it is to be apprehended that 
this city would have shared the same fate as Columbia, South 



198 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Carolina. The business houses were opened and apparently well 
stocked, but as we had not been favored by the sight of a pay- 
master for some months, and not being permitted to forage, we 
had to content ourselves by longingly looking at the palatable 
goods and letting our hungry mouths water. One consoling re- 
flection, however, came to the present writer, namely, that mother 
would greet John with several good square meals, when he was for- 
tunate enough to reach her home. The country in and around 
Richmond was good. We marched 12 miles. 

On May 14th we moved at daybreak and marched about 4 
miles and on the morning of the loth we again left camp at day- 
break and proceeded to the Pamunkey river, stacked arms and 
rested, but finally moved on, going 18 miles during the day. We 
passed Hanover Court House, which was of an ancient date, hav- 
ing been built in 1735, at least according to the inscription on the 
building. 

On the 16th we moved at 6:40, passing the town of Bowling 
Green. "Hot and weary" was the general complaint. May 17th 
we had reveille at 5 and marched at 6 a. m. At 10 o'clock we 
passed through Fredericksburg and crossed the Rappahannock 
River on a pontoon bridge. We marched on to Aquia Creek, 
where we camped for the night after travelling some 23 miles. 
We passed Stafford Court House. Many of the boys were sick, tired, 
and straggling, which was in consequence of the heat, the dust, 
and endless marching we were doing. • 

On the 18th of May we moved at 7:30 a. m., crossed Aquia 
Creek, and halted at Dumfries Court House. We marched 20 
miles and camped at 5 p. m. Here we caught our first view of the 
famous Potomac. At sight of the river the yell was started : 
"All quiet along the Potomac." It passed all long the line, our 
boys rejoicing that it was quiet. 

On May 19th we left camp at 7 a. m., crossed Bull Run, pass- 
ing near Mt. Vernon, and camped at 4 p. m., after marching 12 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 199 



miles. May 20th we remained in camp. May 21st we moved at 
noon, marched six miles and camped within six miles of the Cap- 
ital, where we remained until the morning of the 24th, when we 
crossed the Potomac on Long Bridge at daylight, coming into 
Washington City for the Grand Review. We stacked arms near 
the Capitol and remained there until 9 a. m., when we took our 
place in the columns for review, passing the reviewing stand at 
1 1 o'clock, we then passed out of the city and camped some four 
miles away. 

The contrast between the two armies, East and West, was 
very noticeable. The former, while they had performed arduous 
duties and had done valiant fighting and lots of it yet it was over but 
a limited extent of country, and always, or nearly so, close to the 
base of supplies ; hence, at the time of the parade they were for 
the most part in bright new uniforms, with clean accoutrements ; 
while our western army was just in from over a year's campaign- 
ing, bronzed, ragged, shoeless, and dirty ; but the healthiest and 
bravest lot of dare-devils that ever paraded in review before an 
American public. 

From May 26th to the 31st inclusive, we were in and about 
the city of Washington. Owing to the large aggregation of troops 
the Quarter-Master General was not able to feed us ; so, for some 
fortv-eio-ht hours we were without food at the capital. When our 
Division Quarter-Master was supplied on Sunday evening, he con- 
cluded that because it was raining he would not issue the rations 
to the Brigade Quarter-Masters until Monday. As this word 
passed along the line mutterings could be heard which eventually 
became a rumbling noise, as about fifty or sixty per cent, of the 
division, hungry and enraged, proceeded to the headquarters of 
the division quartermaster. When he took in the situation he 
mounted the head of a pork barrel and made a speech promising 
to issue the rations at once, and with them a large ration of 
whiskey. His promises, however, did not satisfy the boys. They 
were hungry, and they proceeded to issue the rations. He had 



200 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

a large quantity of soft bread for the officers, and this was the first 
to disappear ; then everything went as if by magic, leaving the 
heartless quartermaster minus all supplies, whiskey included. 

On June 1st the regiment took the cars for Parkersburg, then 
went by transports down the Ohio to Louisville, Kentucky. On 
June 5th we made our only stop at Portsmouth, Ohio. The boys 
had one hour off for the city. The citizens had comparatively no 
notice of our approach, yet the loyalty and generosity of the peo- 
ple were displayed in an agreeable manner. 

On June 6th we arrived at Louisville, and camped near the 
water works, two and a half miles from the city. While at Louis- 
ville, Major Galloway was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
53rd, and took command of the regiment. Disappointment, how- 
ever, awaited us at this city. We expected to be mustered out of 
the service and sent home, but, to our chagrin, we were sent to 
Little Rock, Arkansas, for further service. 

On June 24th we took transports for Little Rock, disembark- 
ing there July 4th. We received orders for final muster out, and 
this being completed, we took transports for home August 11th. 
The command, in due course of time was at Camp Dennison for 
pay and discharge. 

On August 25th we were paid, and began to separate for our 
homes. The reader should not imagine that our separation was 
all rejoicing. Four years of constant association had forged ties 
of friendship which were not to be sundered without a pang. At 
.the final " Good-bye, and God bless you," many were the tears that 
trickled down the bronzed cheeks of the veterans. 

The history of the 53rd Ohio would be incomplete without 
the enumeration of the battles and skirmishes in which the regi- 
ment bore an honorable part. It will be observed that on some oc- 
casions we had sieges, or in other words, many days and weeks of 
fighting ; hence we give the number of our attacks in detail : 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 201 



18G2. 

Shiloh, Tenii 1 

Approaches to Corinth f^ 

Siege of Corinth 1 

La Grange, Tenn 1 

Moscow, Tenn 1 

Holly Springs, Miss 1 

Wallace Mills, Miss 1 

Yocona River . . t 1 

1863. 

Siege of Vicksburg 1 

Black River, Miss 1 

Jackson, Miss 3 

Colliersville, Tenn 1 

Florence, Ala . . .- 1 

Lookout Mountain, Tenn • 1 

Mission Ridge, Tenn 3 

Knoxville, Tenn 1 

18G4. 

Snake Creek Gap, Ga ' 1 

Resaca, Ga 3 

Kingston, Ga 1 

Dallas, Ga < 3 

Burnt Hickory, Ga 1 

Ackworth, Ga 1 

Big Shanty, Ga 1 

Big Kenesaw Mountain, Ga 3 

Little Kenesaw, Ga 1 

Knickajack, Ga 1 

Before Atlanta, Ga 3 

'Siege of Atlanta. Ga . . 7 

Battle of Atlanta, Ga 3 

Jonesboro, Ga 6 

Milledgeville, Ga 1 



202 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Fort McAllister, Ga ... 1 

Savannah, Ga .... 1 

1865. 

North Edisto River, S. C 1 

Columbia, S. C • 2 

Bentonville, N. C 1 

Total 69 
And our record would still be incomplete did it not recount 
the history of our flag and its color-bearers. 



NATIONAL COLORS OF THE 53rd O. V. V. L 



THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE FOLLOWING BATTLES. 



First — Mission Ridge, Tennessee, November. 24th, 1863. 

Second — Knoxville, Tennessee, December 5th, 1863. 

Third— Resaca, Georgia, May 13th, 14th, 15th, 1864. 

Fourth— Dallas, Georgia, May 27th 28th, 1864. 

Fifth — Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27th, 1864. 

Sixth— Ruff's Mills, Georgia, July 3rd, 1864. 

Seventh — Before Atlanta, Georgia, July 22nd, 1864. 

Eighth— Before Atlanta, Georgia, July 28th, 1864. 

Ninth — Flint River, Georgia, August 30th, 1864. 

Tenth — Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31st, 1864. 

Eleventh — Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1st, 1864. 

Twelfth — Lovejoy Station, Georgia, September 3rd, 1864. 

Corporal William H. Sheldon, Co. I, wounded while carrying 
the flag, June 27th, 1864. 

Corporal Alex McBride, Co. A, wounded while carrying the* 
flag, June 27th, 1864. 

Sergeant Isaac Wheeler, Co. C, wounded while carrying the 
flag, July 3rd, 1864. 




Ijattle Flag of the -jorjj u. \ . I. 

See Page 202. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 203 

. . ^ *■ ■ ■ — - - ■ -■ 

Corporal Charles Burgess, Co. D, wounded while carrying the 
flag, July 3rd, 18G4. 

Corporal Thomas Kellie, Co. B, wounded while carrying the 
flag, July 22nd. 18<)4. 

Corporal William Linghani, Co. C, wounded while carrying 
the flag, July 23rd, 18G4. 

"Examined and found correct R. A. FULTON, 

" Lieutenant-Colonel, 53rd O. V. I., Commanding." 

It is no idle boast to state here tint the 53rd Ohio was only 
one of thousands of fighting regiments which carried aloft the ban- 
ner of beauty and glory wherever duty and honor called, but it 
was OUR REGIMENT and dearer to us than all besides are the 
memories which gather around its tattered flag. 



(OMl^ 



THE BATTLE-FLAGS. 



"Nothing but flags — but simple flags. 

Tattered and torn and hano^in": in ratrs : 

And we walk beneath them with careless tread, 

Nor think of the hosts of the mighty dead 

Who have marched beneath them in days gone by 

With a burning cheek, and a kindling eye, 

And have bathed their folds in their young life's tide. 

And dying blessed them, and blessing died. 

Nothing but flags, yet methinks at night 

They tell each other their tales of fright ; 

And dim specters come, and their thin arms twine 

Round each standard torn as thev stand in line, 

-' 7 

And the word is given, — they charge, they form ; 



204 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



And the dim hall rings with the battle storm, 
And once again through the smoke and strife 
Those colors lead to a Nation's life. 

Nothing but flags — yet they're bathed in tears ; 
They tell of triumphs, of hopes, of fears ; 
Of a mother's prayers, of a boy away ; 
Of a serpent crushed, of the coming day ; 
Silent they speak, yet the tears will start 
As we stand beneath them with throbbing heart, 
And think of those who are ne'er forgot ; 
Their flags come home, why come they not? 

Nothing but flags, yet we hold our breath 
And gaze with awe at those types of death. 
Nothing but flags, yet the thought will come ; 
The heart must pray though the lips be dumb ! 
They are sacred, pure, and we see no stain 
On those dear, loved flags, come home again ; 
■ Baptised in blood, our purest, best. 
Tattered and torn, they're now at rest." 

The largest number of men engaged at any one battle of the 
53rd was 450. Of our number we had 12 officers and 264 men 
killed and wounded. Forty or more of the wounded died subse- 
quent to their receiving wounds. We were engaged in 69 battles 
and skirmishes and traveled 6,400 miles. 

We campaigned in every seceded state except Texas, Louisi- 
ana and Florida. We left no colors upon the field of battle. We 
invariably camped on or beyond our battle-field. The regiments 
invariably buried its own and the enemy's dead in its vicinity. 
400 men were struck by bullets beneath our regimental banner. 
200 died of disease in camp and hospital. The majority of those 
whose names are upon our regimental rolls are now answering 
roll call under a different banner. We of the rear guard, may 
feel young at the sound of martial music, but our heads are 



SoRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 205 



frosted with the snow that never melts, and ere long we too nnist 
answer the snmmons of the Great Commander. 

A pilot in the harbor of Boston had been engaged in this 
occnpation for a period of forty years. As he was nearing the end 
of life and was lying apparently unconscious upon his conch, he 
said: "1 see a light." His friends, supposing that he was de- 
lirious and imagined he was again piloting the ships, named two 
or three of the different light-houses in the harbor, but to each he 
nodded a." No." Closing his eyes for a few moments, he again 
said : " I see a light." Again were the light-houses named, and 
again he nodded " No." Several times this was repeated with the 
same result ; but in a few moments more he said : " I am in the 
harbor — let go the anchor ! " and thus expired. When the 
reveille resounds in our ears, may we, like the pilot, be ready and 
able to exclaim : " I am in the harbor — let go the anchor." That 
this may be the lot of all surviving comrades, including himself, 
is the prayer of the historian. 

" Father, I ask of Thee, above, 
For this land of Thy special love. 
That other boys, and this of mine. 
May make its glories brighter shine ; 
Spare them, O God ! from cruel wars, 
And give their flag a hundred stars." 




206 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE COST OF THE CIVIL WAR. 

The cost and sacrifices of the War of the Rebellion do not 
necessarily enter into a regimental history ; yet but few, if any, 
volunteer regiments of Ohio, or any other state of the Union, con- 
tributed more in losses of all descriptions than the 53rd Ohio. 

While this scrap of history is designed in the most part for 
the survivors of the 53rd Ohio and their friends ; )et modestly 
speaking, it is hoped that it may be read also by others, and fur- 
thermore that it may be preserved and read by coming generations 
long after the survivors, including the author, have passed from 
mortal sight and have been, perhaps, forgotten. Hence it is 
deemed important to collect such facts and figures as may in part 
inform those of the present and of the future what the four years' 
war cost in life, limbs, health, death, disease, etc. 

The major part of the figures hereinafter quoted are official, 
as given the writer by the heads of such governmental departments 
as the Secretary of War's office, the Quartermaster-General's office, 
the United States Treasurer's office, and that of the Commissioner 
of Pensions. 

The following is a statement of the number of men called for 
by the President of the United States, and of the aggregate num- 
ber furnished by the loyal States, Territories, and the District of 
Columbia, from April 1st, 1861, to the close of the rebellion ; 

Call of April loth, 1861, for 75,000 3 months men 91,816 

Call of May 3rd, 1861, for 500,000 men 700,680 

Special call for 3 months men, May and June, 1862. . . . 15,007 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 207 

Call of July 2nd, 1S62, for ;30(),0()() men 421,4()0 

Call of August 4tb, 18(52, for 300,000 9 months men. . 87,588 

Call of June 15th, 18()3, G months men 16,361 

Call of October 17th, 18(53, for 500,000 men, (embracing 

• drafted men) ;569,380 

Call of March 14th, 18(54, for 200,000 men 292,193 

Call of April 23 and July 18th, 1864, 3 months 83,612 

Call of July 18th, 1864, for 500,000 men, 1, 2, 3, and 4 

years 386,461 

Call of December 9th, 1864, for 200,000 men, 1, 2, 3, and 

4 years 212,212 

Volunteers and militia furnished at various times for 60 

days, 3 months, 100 days; 4, 6, 8 and 12 months, 

and 3 years 188,253 

Total 2,865,028 

Reducing this aggregate to a three years standard the number 
would be 2,324,516. 

The foregoing figures exhibit the number of men furnished by 
the various States and Territories from April 15th, 1861, to the 
close of the war of the rebellion. 

It should be borne in mind, however, that the number of men 
furnished, as shown by the statement, represents the enlistments, 
and not the actual number of individuals in the service, which 
latter has never been officially determined, no official compilation 
ever having been made of the number of re-enlistments. It is 
estimated, however, by the War Department from the best data 
obtainable, that the number of individuals in the service during 
the war was 2,213,365. 

According to the latest official compilation, the whole num- 
ber of deaths among officers" and enlisted men of the Federal 
Army during the war of the Rebellion, as shown by the official 
records, was 359,528. The actual number, however, must be 



208 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



somewhat larger, because it is known that many of the records, 
especially those of Southern prisons, are far from complete. 

The following; table shows the number of deaths, by causes : 

CAUSES OF DEATH. Officers. ^"^men.^ '^°^^^- 

Killed in action 4,142 62,916 67,058 

Died of wounds received in action 2,223 40,789 43,012 

Died of disease 2,795 221,791 224,586 

Accidental deaths (except by drowning) 142 . 3,972 4,114 

Drowned . 106 4,838 4,944 

Murdered 37 483 520 

Killed after capture 14 90 104 

Committed suicide 26 365 391 

Executed by U. S. military authorities 267 267 

Executed by enemy 4 60 64 

Died from sunstroke.. 5 308 313 

Other known causes. 62 1,972 2,034 

Causes not stated 28 12,093 12,121 

Total 9,584 349,944 359,528 

Under the head of "Other Known Causes" are included all 
deaths resulting from quarrels, riots, and the like, which are not 
definitely reported as murder ; from being shot for insubordina- 
tion or by provost guards or sentinels in attempting to escape or 
pass the lines ; from exhaustion or exposure ; killed while depre- 
dating upon the property of citizens ; and all other causes not 
mentioned in the foregoing table. 

The number of Federal soldiers wounded during the war, 
has not been definitely determined. The Surgical History of the 
War, Vol. 2, p. 26 (foot-note) states that the wounded in the 
Union army numbered 280,040 men ; but the accuracy of these 
figures is open to considerable doubt. The actual number is be- 
lieved to have been considerably larger. 

No complete compilation of the cost of the Civil War in 
money has been made ; but in 1880, it was estimated by the Treas- 



O.iRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 209 

• 

ury Department that the sum of $(5,190,000,000 have been paid 
from the Treasury on account of expenditures growing out of the 
war ; which sum of course, has been largely increased by pension 
payments, and the payment for interest on the public debt in- 
curred during the war, together with expenditures covering many 
branches of the service necessarily increased because of the war. 
The table showing the growth of expenditures during the Civil 
War period is taken trom 1861 to 1873, inclusive, thus exhibit- 
ing the highest and lowest points' of expenditure, and giving 
something like an adequate idea of what war costs. 

18(>1 ■. $ 66,546,644.89 

1862 474,761,818.91 

1863 714,740,725.17 

1864 865,322,641.97 

1865 1,297,555,224.41 

1866 520,809,416.99 

1867 357,543,675.16 

1868 377,340,284.86 

1869 322,865,277.80 

1870 309,653,560.75 

1871 ■ 292,177,188.25 

1872 277,517,962.67 

1873 290,345,245.33 

This table of expenditures by fiscal years, it is fair to say, 
covers the entire expense of the government, namely, premiums 
on loans and purchases of bonds, etc., other civil and miscellan- 
eous items, the War Department, the Navy Department, Indians, 
pensions, interest on the public debt, total expenditures including 
premiums on bonds. 

Presuming that it will not be uninteresting either to the 
present or to future generations to know something of the mag- 
nanimous disposition of the government towards wounded soldiers, 
widows, and orphans, we will quote the amount paid in the same 
thirteen years in pensions ; to wit : 



210 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



1861 $ 103,664.06 

1862 853,095.40 

1863 1,078,991.59 

1864 4,983,924.41 

1865 16,338,811.13 

1866 15,605,350.35 

1867 20,936,551.71 

1868 23,782,386.78 

1869 •• 28,476,621.78 

1870 28,340,202.17 

1871 34,443,894.88 

1872 28,533,402.76 

1873 29,359,426.86 

For the years from 1874 to 1899, inclusive, the pension list 
has gradually increased until it has reached for the year 1899, 
$139,394,929.07. 

The largest amount paid in any one year was in 1893 when 
the sum was reached of $1,059,357,537.87. 

Without going into any details of the income or revenue of 
the government, it may be stated that while this may seem a 
large amount to be paid in pensions, it is only one item of the 
many expenditures that the government must meet ; that the to- 
tal revenue for the year 1899 was $515,960,620.18. These figures, 
and especially the latter, should make the heart of every soldier 
grateful that he figured in the great war of the rebellion, and has 
lived to see the day when this is the grandest and best, the larg- 
est and wealthiest nation upon the face of the globe. 

The total number of pensioners upon the rolls at the close of 
the fiscal year, June 30th, 1899, was 991,519. There was during 
the year a decrease of 2195, notwithstanding the large number of 
applications by reason of the Spanish-American War. For this 
same reason, the probabilities are that the roll will not only in- 
crease in amount but also in numbers during the fiscal year 1900. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 211 

The total payments for the year designated amounted to 
$1;31,()17,1>G1.(»0 an increase over 1898 of |G49,41)6.00. 

The number of Pensioners borne upon the rolls is divided as 
follows: Army and Navy invalids 742,467 ; Army and Navy wid- 
ows and orphans 223,156; total 96o,623. The remaining 25 896 
are invalids and widows of the Revolutionary war, the war of 
1812, the Indian, Mexican and Spanish-American wars, and 
nurses. The number of minors drawing pensions, 58,568. It 
may not be uninteresting to veterans of the four year's service to 
state that under the Act of June 1890, there are 98,704 more 
pensioners than under the general law on account of the Civil 
War. There are still 477,239 claims for pensions pending adju- 
dication. 

The facts and figures herein quoted are significent to those 
who bore an honorable part in that memorable and ever-to-be-re- 
membered four year's struggle. Further comment would be 
deemed uncalled for, but, as previously intimated, to the future 
should be left a lesson so plain that it cannot be misinterpreted. 
It was said by some sage of the past that comparisons are odious, 
but they are not always necessarily so. Far be it from the writer 
to attempt to magnify the deeds of those of 1861 to 1865; or to 
undervalue the services of those that led up to the formation of 
the United States of America. The records and facts as to the pre- 
vious wars of the United States and those of other countries will suf- 
fer nothing by a careful analysis and comparison; be that, however, 
as it may, but few, if any, of what are now considered the great 
and bloody battles of the past, can be compared in magnitude to 
the ereat battles of the War of the Rebellion. 



t5' 



The proportion of the killed and wounded to the numbers 
engaged shows the war of 1861-5 to have been the bloodiest re- 
corded in all the annals of history. In European history, the 
battle of Waterloo was, and is regarded as one of the most bloody 
of ancient or modern times prior to the Rebellion ; yet Welling- 



212 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

ton's casualties were less than twelve per cent.; his losses being : 
Killed, 2,432 ; wounded, 24,000 ; and this with an army of 100,000 
men. At Shiloh we had killed and wounded 9,740 men out of an 
army of less than 50,000 ; while the Confederate losses in the same 
engagement were 9,616, making a combined loss of about thirty 
per cent. 

At the battle of Wagram, Napoleon lost five per cent., at 
Wurzburg, the French lost three and a half per cent., and yet 
were discouraged to such an extent that they gave up the field and 
retreated to the Rhine, x^t Valmy, Frederick William lost but 
three percent.; at Marengo and Austerlitz, which at that day were 
considered great battles, the French losses were less than fourteen 
and a half per cent. 

In 1859 at Magenta and Solferino, the losses of both armies 
were only about nine per cent. At Shiloh, Perryville, Murfrees- 
borough, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Gettysburg, Mi.ssion Ridge, the 
Wilderness and Spottsylvania, the combined losses for both ar- 
mies, exceeded forty per cent., with an average for either army in 
killed and wounded of over thirty per cent. 

In all the American wars from the foundation to 1861, we had 
suffered the loss of but ten American generals in war. During 
the four years of the Civil war, on both sides, we suffered the loss 
of over one hundred general officers. Those who may care to do so 
may add together all of the killed and wounded of all the battles 
fought upon American soil from 1492 to 1861 and they will find 
that the aggregate would not exceed the losses sustained in any one 
of the great battles fought during the American war of 1861-5. To 
all this should be added those who have died in the thirty- 
five subsequent years, the aggregate of which is one hundred 
thousand. At this date (June, 1900) the records of the Grand 
Army of the Republic establish the fact that the veterans are 
passing away at the rate of thirty-three to thirty-five thousand per 
annum. About three-fourths of a million are )et living, but no 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 213 



inatheniatican can tell just how long it will require to reach the 
period when all the actors of this great drama that saved the Un- 
ion and liberated four million or more of slaves, shall have passed 
from mortal sight. 

" When the comrades have departed 

And the veterans are no more, 

When the bugle call has sounded 

On that everlasting shore, 

When the weary march is ended. 

When the campfire slumbers long. 

Who will tell the world the story 

When all the ' Boys ' are gone." 
May the younger generation profit by our experience, and 
learn to arbitrate all questions of dispute, and beat their swords 
into plowshares. 

And to those who wore the blue and the gray, it may be ad- 
ded that we are interested observers of passing national events, 
and hope and pray for the continuance of the Republic toward 
which we have contributed our just share. But do you realize 
that we are soon to join the host beyond? The important 
thing to us is, have we that " building of God, a house not made 
with hands, eternal in the heavens." 

" A tent or a cottage, why should I care ? 
They're building a mansion for me over there ; 
Though exiled from home, yet still I can sing, 
All glory to God, I'm a child of a King." 



214 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



LIST OF THE HONORED DEAD 

OF THE 

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 

INFANTRY. 



Names. 


Co. 


Rank. 


Died. 


Buried. 


Remarks. 


Acklev. Obed 


D 

I 

A 

F 

I 
I 
D 

H 

F 

P 

I 

E 
C 

I 

G 

E 
E 

K 

G 
K 


Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Wagoner 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 


June 2~, 1864 
June 26, 1863 

April 27, 1862 
Aug. 4, 1862 

April 17, 1862 
April 4, 18B2 
Dec. 30, 1864 

June 22, 1864 
Feb. 19, 1862 

May 5, 1862 
Aug. 8, 1862 

Oct. 11, 1864 
June 27, 1863 

June 4, 1863 

Sept. 17, 1862 

Mav 27, 1862 
Mar. 17, 1862 

July 26, 1864 

May 20, 1864 
Sept. 17, 1862 


Marietta, Ga 


Killed in assault on Kene- 


Aleshire, Thomas.... 


Memphis, Tenn 

Shiloh, Tenn 


saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. J, grave 365. 
Died at Fort Pickering, 
Tenn., of disease; in- 
terred in Mississippi Riv- 
er Cemetery. 




Memphis, Tenn 

Shiloh, Tenn 


Died of disease; interred 


Allen. John W 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 
Died of disease. 




Shiloh, Tenn 






Jackson, O 


Died in Jackson county of 
disease ; interred in City 
Cemetery. 

Died of disease ; interred 


Armstrong, Dennis.. 


Marietta, Ga 


Jackson, O 


in sec. H, grave 230. 
Died in Jackson county of 


Austin ^niliani 


Corinth, Miss 


disease; interred in City 
Cemetery. 

Died at Camp No. 5 of dis- 
ease. 

Died at Fort Pickering, 
Tenn., of disease; in- 
terred in Mississippi Riv- 
er Cemetery. 

Killed Oct. 11, 1864, near 


Bain, Alexander 


Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 


Ballenerer. Evi 


Memphis, Tenn 

Shiloh, Tenn 


Carsville Station, Ga 

Died of disease ; interred 


"Rflrrtfift .Tnnathaii 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 
Died in hospital at Mon- 


Bartlett, Johnson... 
Bartoe, Daniel 


Columbus, O 


terey, Tenn. 
Died of disease; interred 


New Albany, Ind 

Cairo. Ill 


in Green Lawn Cemetery. 
Died in hospital of disease. 


Tin«5fV»rd Riiorh 


Died at Paducah, Ky., of 




Marietta, Ga 


disease. 
Died of wounds received 


Beasley, George 

Beasley, Martin 


Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Memphis, Tenn 


June 27, 1864, in battle of 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.; 
interred in sec. C, grave 
911. 

Died near Dallas, Ga., of 
disease. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 





xip 



h 

2 

12: 

O 





}^m 



s«««-^' 



'■^ 



%^ 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



215 



Names. 


Co. 


Rank. 




Died. 


Burled. 


Remarks. 


Relrhpr Charles O 


C 

K 

C 

K 

B 
H 

E 

D 
C 

F& 
...S 

A 
D 


Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

1st Serg't 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Q. M. S. 

Private 
1st Lieut. 


July 
June 

May 

Oct. 

Sept. 

May 

Mar. 

Mar. 

Aug. 

May 

Mar. 
Aug. 


22, 1862 

27, 1864 

27, 1862 
19, 1862 

9, 1863 

25, 1862 

26, 1862 

17, 1862 
5, 1862 

9, 1863 

16, 1862 
31, 1866 


Cincinnati, O 


Died of disease ; interred 


T^pre'f^rt iTolin. 


Marietta, Qa 


in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 
Killed in battle of Kene- 


Berry, James F 

Berry, Zachariah 

Bishop, William 

Rliirk Harvev 


New Albany, Ind 

Shiloh,Tenn 

Cairo, 111 


saw Mountain, Ga., in- 
terred in sec. A, grave 816. 

Died of disease at Evans- 
ville, Indiana. 

Died at Pittsburg Land- 
ing, Tenn., of disease. 

Died of disease. 


Shiloh, Tenn 


Died of disease. 


Blankenship, A 

Roles. Allen 


Cairo, 111 


Died at Paducah, Ky., of 
disease. 

Died at Pittsburg Land- 
ing, Tenn., of disease. 

Died at Port Pickering, 


Shiloh. Tenn 


Rooker. H 


Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Cairo, 111 


Bosworth,!SIiU'nK.. 

Boyd, Nathan A 

Boyce, James H 


Tenn., of disease ; in- 
terred in Mississippi 
River Cemetery. 

Died at La Grange, Tenn., 
of disease; interred in 
Mississippi River Ceme- 
tery. 

Died at Paducah, Ky., of 


Marietta, Ga 


disease. 
Died of wounds received 




in battle of Jonesboro, 
Georgia. 
Died of wounds received 


Rrnhaker Otis 


K 

D 

D 
G 


Sergeant 

Private 

1st Lieut. 
Private 


Aug. 

June 

Sept. 
May 


10, 1864 

14, 1862 

21, 1862 
8, 1862 


Marietta, Qa 


Brewster, Joseph 

Brooks, Calvin D 

Rrooks Samuel 


Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Cincinnati, O 


July 22, 1864, in battle of 
Atlanta, Ga.; interred in 
sec. G, grave 1411. 

Died at La Grange, Tenn., 
of disease; interred in 
Mississippi River Ceme- 
tery. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died of disease ; interred 






in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 

Died of wounds received 
May 17. 1864, in battle of 
Resaca, Ga.; interred in 
sec. 10, grave 10. 

Died of disea.se. 


Brown, Harvey 


I 

F 
A 


Private 

Private 
Private 


May 

May 
July 


17, 1864 

7, 1862 
28, 1864 


Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Shiloh, Tenn 


Tli'own Oliver M 


Marietta. Ga 


Died of wounds received 






in battle of Atlanta, Ga.; 
interred in sec. H, grave 
636. 


Brown, William H... 

Burk, William B 

Burk, Volney R 

Burns, John 


C 

C 

C 
A 
C 
D 


Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 
Private 
Private 


Oct. 

July 

Aug. 
Aug. 
June 
July 


n, 1863 
4, 1862 

25, 1863 
8, 1864 

27, 1864 
1, 1862 


Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Vicksburg, Miss 

Marietta, Ga 


Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died of disease at Moscow, 
Tenn.; interred in Missis- 
sippi River Cemetery. 

Died at Camp Sherman, 
Miss., of di.sease. 

Died of disease ; interred 


Burt, Henry 


Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Memphis, Tenn 


in sec. G, grave 1255. 
Killed in battle of Kene- 


Butcher, Thomas 


saw Mountain, Ga. 

Died of disease; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died of disease ; interred 


Butler, Bazell 


E 


Private 


Sept. 


29, 1862 


Memphis, Tenn 




in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 



216 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Names. 



Butler, Thomas 

Calvert, George W... 

Campbell, Alex.... 



Chick, George. 



Clayton, John C. 
Comer, Martin.... 



Corwin. Cyrus W... 
Cotteral, Austin.... 

Creighton, Wm. P. 

Cross, Jonathan.... 



Crowell, Austin. 
Gulp, George 



Curtis, John S. 



Co. 



Campbell, H 

Campbell, William 
Camter, Jefferson... 

Carmody, John 

Carr, Henry H 

Carton, John 



Davis, Jackiel. 
Davis, John R. 
Davis, John W. 



Deal, Alonzo. 



Danglemyer, Jacob. 



Darling, Robert., 
Darrah, William. 



Rank. 



Died. 



Captain 
Private 



C Private 



Buried. 



Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

Corporal 

Corporal 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 



Aug. 10,1864 
June 28, 1864 

May 10, 1862 

May — , 1862 
May 7, 1862 
July 4, 1864 

Jan. 28, 1862 

Mar. 26, 1864 

July 29, 1864 

Mar. 26, 1862 

July 22, 1862 
Aug. 1, 1864 

Nov. 16, 1863 
May 27, 1862 

Mar. 18, 1862 

June 27, 1864 

Feb. 15, 1862 
Sept. 10, 1864 

Nov. 14, 1862 

July 27, 1863 
Aug. 23, 1864 



Marietta, Ga.. 
Marietta, Ga. 



Remarks. 



Cincinnati, O.. 



Cincinnati, O.. 
Cincinnati, O. 
Marietta, Ga... 



Cincinnati, O 

Murfreesboro, Tenn 
Marietta, Ga 



Camp Dennison, O. 
Marietta, Ga 



Gallipolis, O. 



Memphis, Tenn.. 
Aikens Mills, O.. 



Shiloh, Tenn. 
Marietta, Ga. 



Jackson, O 

Marietta, Ga. 



Private June 27, 1863 



Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 



June 12, 1862 
Sept. 5, 1863 
Aug. 4, 1862 

May 9, 1862 



Memphis, Tenn.. 



Vicksburg, Miss. 



Marietta, Ga 

Memphis, Tenn.. 



Shiloh, Tenn 

Vicksburg, Miss. 
Memphis, Tenn... 



Cincinnati, O.. 



Died of wounds received 

June 27, 1864, in battle of 

Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. 
Died of wounds received 

June 27, 1864, in battle of 

Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.; 

interred in sec. J, grave 

378. 
Died on board hospital 

boat Silver Wave ; in- 
terred in Spring Grove 

Cemetery. 
Died of disease; interred in 

Spring Grove Cemetery. 
Died of disease; interred in 

Spring Grove Cemetery. 
Died of wounds received 

June 27, 1864, in battle of 

Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. 
Died at Camp Dennison, 

O., of disease ; interred in 

Spring Grove Cemetery. 
Died at Pulaski, Tenn., of 

disease; interred in Stone 

River Cemetery. 
Died of wounds received 

July 28, 1864. in battle of 

Atlanta, Georgia. 

Died of disease , interred 

in City Cemetery. 

Died of disease. 

Died at Rome, Ga., of dis- 
ease ; interred in sec. G, 
grave 119. 

Died of disease. 

Died at home in Vinton 
county, O.j of disease. 

Died at Pittsburg i^and- 
ing, Tenn., of disease. 

Killed in battle of Kene- 
saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. A. grave 
1056. 

Died in hospital in Jack- 
son county, of disease. 

Died of wounds received 
Aug. 31, 1864, in battle of 
Jonesboro, Ga.; interred 
in sec. G, grave 1219. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died at Camp Sherman, 
Miss., of disease. 

Died in hospital of disease. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died in hospital at Mon- 
terey, Tenn., of disease. 

Died at Camp Sherman, 
Miss., of disease. 

Died at Fort Pickering, 
Tenn., of disease; in- 
terred in Mississippi 
River Cemetery. 

Died on board hospital 
boat, of disease ; interred 
in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



217 



Names. 



Oolay, John S. 



Devers, Branson. 



DeWest, Thomas.. 
Dibbins, Thomas.. 

Dicks, Charles 

Dillie, Squire 

Doau, Franlclin 

Dodds, James M... 



Donaldson, Mahlon 

Dufiey, James 

Dunbar, Warren K. 



Eicher, Abraham R. 
Elderkin, Samuel... 



Ellison, William A. 
Exline, James D 



Co. 



Farmer, George W. 
Farmer, William... 



Fife, Thomas 

Floyd, Jacob 

Forbes, Arthur S.. 

Ford, Bennett W.. 
Fox, Charles E 



Franklin, John 

Franklin, William. 

French, Joseph 



K 

G 
G 
G 
B 
B 
A 

B 
I 
B 



Rank. 



Dii'd. 



Private 

Wagoner 

Private 
Private 
Sergeant 
Sergeant 
Corporal 
Private 

Private 
Corporal 
Private 



Corporal 
Private 



Private 
Private 



Private 
Private 



Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 
Private 



Sept. 4, 1863 



May 23, 1862 



Oct. 

Feb. 

Aug. 

Oct. 

June 

May 

April 

Feb. 

Oct. 



Buried. 



Memphis, Tenn. 



Jackson, O. 



27, 1861 
20, 1864 
,31, 1864 
18, 1862 
22, 1862 
27, 1862 

17, 1862 
2i, 1864 
n, 1862 



Marietta, Ga 

Big Run, O 

Andersonville, Ga. 
Knoxville, Tenn.... 

Shiloh, Tenn 

Cincinnati, O 



Remarks. 



Shiloh, Tenn 

Ironton, O 

Memphis, Tenn.. 



May 14, 1862 
May 20, 1862 



May 14, 1864 
July 22, 1864 



May 24, 1862 
Aug. 29, 1862 



June 8, 1862 
Sept. 18, 1863 
May 15, 1862 

June 27, 1864 



Camp Dennison, O. 
Cincinnati, O 



Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Marietta, Ga 



Corinth, Miss 

Memphis, Tenn.. 



Shiloh, Tenn 

Vicksburg, Miss. 
St. Louis, Mo 



Marietta, Ga. 



June 27, 1864 Marietta, Ga. 



Dec. 25, 1864 



Private jjune 20, 1864 



C Private 



July 3, 1864 



Jackson, C... 
Marietta, Ga. 

Marietta, Ga. 



Died on board hospital 
boat, of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi RiverCem- 
etery. 

Died in Jackson county of 
disease ; interred in City 
Cemetery. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in sec. G, grave 499. 

Died in Athens county, O., 
of disease. 

Died in Rebel Prison , in- 
terred in jjrave 7427. 

Died at Bristol, Tenn., of 
disease. 

Died in hospital at Mon- 
terey, Tenn., of disease. 

Died of disease; interred 
in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 

Died on board hospital 
boat, of disease. 

Died in Lawrence county, 
O , of disease. 

Died at Fort Pickering, 
Tenn., of disease ; in- 
terred in Mississippi Riv- 
er Cemetery. 

Died of disease. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 

Killed in battle of Resaca, 
Ga.; interred in sec. L, 
grave 224. 

Died of wounds received 
Julys, 1864, in battle of 
Nickajack CU-eek, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. A, grave 476. 

Died of disease. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died at Monterey, Tenn., 
of disease. 

Died at Camp Sherman, 
Miss., of disease. 

Died of disease; interred 
in Jefferson Barracks 
Cemetery.' 

Killed in battle of Kene- 
saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. A, grave 
1059. 

Killed in battle of Kene- 
saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. A, grave 
1057. 

Died in Jackson county, 
O., of disease ; interred in 
City Cemetery. 
Died of wounds received 
May 28, 1864, in battle of 
Dallas, (ia.; interred in 
sec. H , grave 288. 
Died of wounds received 
June 27, 1864, in battle of 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.; 
interred in sec. H, grave 
218. 



218 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Names. 


Co. 


Rank. 


Died. 


Buried. 


Remarks. 


Frisby, Charles 


G 
F 

B 

G 
D 

D 

A 

C 

F 
E 

I 
G 

K 
K 

C 

c 

E 
B 

B 

E 

A 

G 
A 

G 
E 

B 

A 

B 

K 

E 

G 
C 


Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Corporal 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Corporal 


May 10, 1862 
May 22, 1862 

Dec. 7, 1862 

Mar. 30, 1864 
Aug. 9, 1864 

May 25, 1862 

Aug. 16, 1864 
June 27. 1864 

April 6, 1862 
May 18, 1862 

June 30, 1864 
Aug. 23, 1864 

July 13, 1863 
Sept. 9, 1863 
Aug. 14, 1862 

June 27, 1864 

April 17, 1862 
Sept. 18, 1862 

April 24, 1864 
Feb. 16, 1865 


S^ew Albany, Ind 

Shiloh, Tenn 


Died of disease. 
Died of disease. 


T?T>i-»Gt S'^Tfiinp 


Memphis, Tenn 

Nashville, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 


Died in hospital of disease; 


Gardner, Leander... 
Garrett, Joseph 

Garrett, Samuel 

f^aarv frpnrere • 


interred in Mississippi 

River Cemetery. 
Died in hospital'of disease. 
Died of wounds received 


Jackson, O 


June 27, 1864, in battle of 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.; 
interred in sec. C, grave 
104. 
Died in Jackson county. 


Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Marietta. Ga 


O.; interred in City Cem- 
etery. 
Died of disease ; interred 


Gifford, Benj. F 


in sec. P, grave 140. 
Killed in battle of Kene- 


Shiloh, Tenn 


saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. A, grave 
10.58. 
Killed in battle. 




Corinth, Miss 


Died in Camp Hospital 


Gorby, William 


Camp Dennison, O.. 
Marietta, Ga 


No. 6, of disease. 
Died of disease. 
Died at Atlanta, Ga.; of 


Gould, Richard 

nr'a\Ti^^ TTpiirv 


Vicksburg, Miss 

Vicksburg, Miss 

Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 


disease ; interred in sec. 

H, grave 274. 
Died of disease. 
Died of disease. 


Green, James P 

Griffin, Benjamin.... 


Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Killed in battle of Kene- 


Shiloh, Tenn 


saw Mountain, Ga. 
Died of disease. 




Memphis, Tenn 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 

Nashville, Tenn 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 

Cairo, 111 


Died of disease; interred 




in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 
Died at Huntsville, Ala., 


Hines, Thomas 

Halem, Charles A... 

Hollenbeck, Jos. C. 

Hopper, Daniel W... 


of disease. 
Died of disease. 
Died of disease ; interred 


Mar. 26, 1862 
May 9, 1862 

Mar. 8, 1862 
July 22, 1861 

April 17, 1864 

Aug. 1, 1864 

May 19, 1864 

Feb. 5, 1862 
Sept. 26, 1863 

June 3, 1862 
May 14, 1862 


in sec. L, grave 40. 
Died at Paducah, Ky., of 


Cincinnati. O 


disease. 
Died of disease ; interred 


Shiloh, Tenn 


in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 
Died of disease. 


Hoyland, Rob't W... 
Hunderland, James 
Ingols, Francis M... 

James, David W.....' 

Jelltson, William.... 
Jenkins, Zachariah. 

Johnson, James E.. 
Johnson, John R... 




Killed in battle of Atlanta, 


Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Marietta, Ga 


Georgia. 
Died of disease ; interred 

in sec. C, grave 244. 
Died of wounds i-eceived 


Cairo 111 


in action near Atlanta, 
Georgia. 
Died in hospital at Padu- 


Camp Dennison, O. 
Vicksburg, Miss 


cah, Ky., of wounds re- 
ceived May 14, 1864, in 
battle of Resaca, Ga. 

Died of disease. 

Died at Camp Sherman, 
Miss., of disease. 

Died of disease ; interred 


Cincinnati, O 


in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 
Died of disease ; interred 




in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



219 



Names. 



Co. 



Jolinsoii. John \V... 

•Johnston, John 

Jones, Henry 



Jones, John H.. 
Jones Milton... 



Jorden, Adam 

Kennison, Jacob... 
Kirkpatiick. D. E. 



Ivnittin, Anige 

l^angley, M 

Leonard, William P. 



Lewis, Otis O..-. 
Lewis, Samuel. 



Lindsey, Kendall D, 
Linscott, R. B 



Lockard, John. 



Lumberty, Jacob D 



Lutz, Abraham.. 
Lynch, John H.. 



Lyons, Charles F... 
McChesney, John. 



G 

G 

H 

B 
K 

A 
H 

F 



Rank. 



Died. 



Private Oct. 9, 1862 



Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 



Buried. 



Remarks. 



Aug. 11, 186'2 

Feb. 19, 1862 

Mar. l.'i, 1862 

Ang. 11, 1862 



Memphis, Tenn.. 
Cincinnati, O.... 



Private June 28, 1862 
Private iDec. 19, 1862 



McCleary, Daniel 

McConnell, Mat. G. 



McConnell, Willis.. 

McKibben.Wm. B.. 
McKinncy, Geo. W. 

McKnight, Anthony 

McMillen, Staflord.. 



McNiel, Andrew J. 
Mann, John 



G 

K 
G 

G 

K 



Private 



1st Lieut. 
Private 
Private 



Private 

Private 

Captain 
Private 

Private 



Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 



Private 
Private 



Corporal 

Private 
Private 

Private 

1st Lieut 



April 23, 1864 



May 17, 1864 Chattanooga, Tenn.. 

Mav 9, 186.5 Jacksonville, Fla 

April 27, 1863 St. Louis, Mo Died of disease; interred 

in Jefferson Barracks 

Cemetery. 
SUiloh, Tenn 



Memphis, Tenn IDied of wounds; interred 

in Mississippi River Cem- 
! etery. 

Died of disea.se ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 

Died in hospital at Padu- 
cah, Ky., of disease. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 

I eterj;. 
Jackson, O Died in Jackson county of 

i disease. 

Corinth, Miss Died at Oxford, Miss., of 

disease. 

Died at Scottsboro, Ala., 
of disease; interred in 
sec. P, grave V.iS. 
Died of disease. 
Died of disease. 



Cairo, 111 

Memphis, Tenn., 



Chattanooga, Tenn. 



April 29, 1862 

June 9, 1862 

Nov. 1, 1863 
June 1, 1864 

July 6, 1864 



Dec. 11, 1862 

Sept. 14, 1863 
May 21, 1862 

June 3, 1864 

June 22, 1862 



April 7, 1862 
Aug. 28, 1863 



Aug. 8, 1862 

April 18, 1864 
July 24, 1862 

July 2, 1862 

Aug. 3, 1864 



F 
F 



Died in Field Hospital of 

disease. 
Corinth, Miss Died at Chewalla, Tenn., 

of disease. 
c;hattanooga, Tenn.. Died of disease. 
Marietta, Ga jDied of disease; interred 

in see. (J, grave 427. 
Marietta, Cia Died of wounds received 

June 27, 1864, in battle of 

Kenesaw Mountain, Oa.; 

interred in sec. 11, grave 

199. 
Died of disease. 



Nashville, Tenn. 



Camp Dennison, O. 
Rutland, O 



Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Jackson, O .. 



Shiloh,Tenn. 
Jackson, O.... 



Ironton, O. 



Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Memphis, Tenn 



Memphis, Tenn.. 
Marietta, Ga 



Private July 22, 1862 
Private May 16, 1862 



Camp Dennison, O. 
Cairo, 111 



Died of disease. 

Died in Meigs county of 
disease. 

Killed in action at Alla- 
toona Hills, (ia. 

Died in Jackson county 
o, disease; interred in 
Citv Cemetery. 

Killed in battle. 

Died in Jackson county 
of disease; interred in 
City Cemetery. 

Died in Lawrence county 
of disease ; interred in 
City Cemetery. 

Died in hospital at Scotts- 
boro, Ala., of disease. 

Died of disease; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died at Moscow, Tenn., of 
disease ; interred in Mis- 
sissippi River Cemetery. 

Died of wounds received 
July 22, 1864, in battle of 
Atlanta, Ga.; interred in 
sec. G, grave 10. 

Died of disease. 

Died at Paducah, Ky., of 
disease. 



220 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Names. 


Co. 


Rank. 


Died. 


Buried. 


Remarks. 


Manley, John S 

Martin, Sampson 

Masterson, Henry A 
Mather, Samuel 

Messenger, H. B 


H 

G 

K 

F& 

...S 

D 

G 
K 

E 

G 

F& 

...S 

D 
K 

H 

E 
K 

C 
D 

I 

F 

D 

C 
F 

C 
H 


Private 

Private 

Private 

As. Surg. 

Captain 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

R. Q. M. 
Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

Corporal 

Private 
Captain 

Private 
Private 


June 13, 1863 

Oct. 26, 1864 
Aug. 3, 1864 
May 21, 1865 

April 26, 1863 

Dec. 24, 1864 
Aug. 18, 1862 

Dec. 11, 1862 

Oct. 22, 1862 

April 25, 1864 
May 15, 1862 
Aug. 25, 1862 

June 30, 1863 
June 7, 1862 
Nov. 24, 1862 

May 14, 1864 
June 17, 1864 

Aug. 21, 1862 

July 15, 1862 

Sept. 10, 1864 

Jan. 5, 1863 
Aug. 18, 1864 

June 27, 1864 
July 24, 1864 


Memphis, Tenn 

Millen Ga 


Died at La Grange, Tenn., 
of disease; interred in 
Mississippi River Ceme- 
tery. 

Died in Rebel Prison ; in- 


Marietta. Ga 


terred in sec. A, grave 187, 

Camp Lawton Cemetery. 

Died of wounds received 


Washington, D. C... 
Memphis, Tenn 


June 27, 1864, in battle of 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga... 

Died in Seminary Hos- 
pital of disease ; interred 
in Military Asylum Cem- 
etery. 

Died at Moscow, Tenn., of 
disease ; interred in Mis- 
sissippi River Cemetery. 

Died at Fort McAllister, 


Millingman, Peter... 

Minard, Japhet 

Morsan. Paul 


Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Shiloh, Tenn 


Ga., of disease. 

Died at Fort Pickering, 
Tenn., of disease; in- 
terred in Mississippi Riv- 
er Cemetery. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died of disease ; interred 


Morrison, Edw. G... 

Morrison, James 

Murray, Thomas 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died of wounds, at Scotts- 
boro, Alabama. 

Died at Savannah, Tenn., 


Memphis, Tenn 

Corinth, Miss 


of disease. 

Died at Fort Pickering, 
Tenn., of disease; in- 
terred in Mississippi Riv- 
er Cemetery. 

Died in Rebel Prison at 


Newell, Enoch R 

North David 


Oorinth Miss 


Columbus, Miss. 
Died at Chewalla, Tenn., 


Memphis, Tenn 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
New Albany, Ind 

Cincinnati, 


of disease. 
Died of disease ; interred 




in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 
Killed in battle of Resaca, 


O'Brien. John 


Georgia. 
Died of wounds received 




May 13, 1864, in battle of 
Resaca, Georgia. 
Died of disease ; interred 


O'Harrow, John 

Oliver, William 


Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta. Ga 


in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 

Died at Moscow, Tenn., of 
disease ; interred in Mis- 
sissippi River Cemetery. 

Died of wounds received 


Corinth, Miss 


July 3, 1864, in battle of 
Ruff's Mills, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. C, grave 353. 
Died at Holly Springs, 


Percy, James R 

Proctor, William.... 


Marietta, Ga 


Miss. 

Killed in battle near At- 
lanta, Ga.; interred in 
sec. H, grave C. 

Killed in battle of Kene- 


Marietta, Ga 


saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. A, grave 
1060. 
Killed in action near At- 






lanta, Georgia. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 



221 



Names. 


Co. 

I 
C 

E 

E 
I 

A 

A 

G 

I 

A 
F 
K 

H 
D 

A 

C 

A 
C 

E 

I 

A 
F 

K 

F 
F 

C 

B 
K 

F 
D 


Rank. 


Died. 


Buried. 


Remarks. 


Reddie, Lawson 

Kednian, Simon S... 

R,ipp tlolin 


■Private 
Corporal 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 
Corporal 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Corporal 

Private 
Corporal 

Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Corjjoral 

Private 

Private 

Sergeant 

I'rivate 
Private 

Private 
Private 


June 28, 1864 
July 15, 1864 

Aug. 25, 1862 

Sept. 10, 1864 
May 17, 1862 

Aug. 6, 1862 

April 16, 1862 

July 6, 1864 

Sept. 4, 1863 

Mar. 6, 1862 
April 6, 1862 
May 13, 1864 

May 26, 1862 
June 17, 1864 

April 7, 1862 
July 7, 1862 

June 21, 1862 

June 29, 1864 

April 6, 1862 
Feb. 13, 1864 

June 1, 1862 

Sept. 23, 1862 

Mar. 16, 1862 
Sept. 20, 1862 

June 27, 1864 

April 6, 18R2 
June 21, 1862 

June 27, 1864 

June 15, 1862 
Nov. 1, 1862 

Mar. 15, 1862 
Sept. 9, 1864 


Nashville, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 


Died of disease. 

Died of wounds received 


Memphis, Tenn 

ChattanooKa, Tenn.. 
Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

St. Louis, Mo 


in battle of Franklin, 
Tenn.: interred in sec. H, 
grave 211. 
Died of disease ; interred 


Rice, Silas 

Rife. Henrv 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died at Huntsville. Ala 

Died of disease; interred 


Robinson, Isaiah 

Robinson, John 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died at I<'ort Pickering, 
Tenn.; interred in Mis- 
sissii)pi River Cemetery. 

Died of disease; interred 


Marietta, Ga 


in Jefferson Barracks 
Cemetery. 
Died of wounds received 




Vicksburg, Miss 

Cairo, 111 


in action ; interred in sec. 
n, grave 185. 
Died at Camp Sherman, 


Rodman. Joseph... . 


Mississippi. 
Died at Paducah, Ky. 


Shiloh, Tenn 


Killed in battle. 




Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Rutland, O 


Killed in battle of Resaca, 


RunilleUl, Pelep M.. 
Russell, B^noch R 

Schribcr, Emanuel.. 
Sedwick, James W.. 

Shcpperd, Geo. N 

Sheppard, Hezekiah 

Shepperd, Rich'd E. 
Silcott, James W 

Simmons, Andrew... 

Sinrlair John 


Georgia. 

Died in Meigs county, O... 
Died of wounds received 


Marietta, Ga 


Shiloh, Tenn 


May 30, 1864, in battle of 
Dallas, Georgia. 
Killed in battle. 


Cincinnati, O 


Died of disease ; interred 


Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 


in Spring Grove Ceme- 
tery. 

Died on board hospital 
boat ; interred in Missis- 
sippi River Cemetery. 

Died of wounds received 


Shiloh, Tenn 


June 27, 1864, in battle of 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. 
Killed in battle. 


I'ortsmouth, O 


Died of disease in Scioto 




county, O. 
Died at his liome in Jack- 


Memphis, Tenn 

Cairo, Til 

Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 

Shiloh, Tenn 


son county, O. 
Died of disease ; interred 


Sloan, Samuel H 

Smeltzer, Jacob 

Smith, liarnev 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

l~)icd at Paducah, Ky. 

Died of disease; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Killed in battle of Kene- 


Smith, Francis 

Smith, .James 


saw Mountain, Ga. 
Killed in battle. 


Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta. Ga 


Died at Moscow, Tenn.; 


Smith, Marshall 

Smith, Thomas 


interred in Mississippi 
River Cemetery. 
Killed in battle of Kene- 


Shiloh, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Cairo, 111 


saw Mountain, Ga 
Hied at Monterey, Tenn. 
Died of disease; interred 


Spencer, H. R. M 

Stephenson, Smith.. 


in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 
Died at Paducah, Kv. 


Marietta, Ga 


{Died of wounds received 
Aug. 31, 186-1, in battle of 
Jonesboro, Ga.; interred 
in seclG, grave 1048. 



222 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Names. 


Co. 


Rank. 


Died. 


Buried. 


Remarks. 


St,nnpr W^illiani R . 


A 

B 
A 
B 

B 
D 

G 
H 

B 

G 
D 

I 
B 

B 

B 

I 

K 

B 
B 

E 

B 
A 

A 
B 

G 

B 
F 


Private 

Private 
Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Sergeant 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 


Nov. 16, 1864 

June 9, 1862 
Mar. 9, 1862 
July 5, 1864 

Sept. 13, 1864 
Aug. 3, 1864 

May 24, 1862 
June 23, 1862 

May 19, 1864 

Nov. 2, 1864 
June 27, 1864 

Aug. 31, 1863 
June 20, 1864 

Feb. 16, 1863 

Mar. 6, 1862 
May 1, 1864 

Oct. 18, 1862 

Sept. 16, 1863 

May 7, 1862 

May 11, 1863 

June 20, 1862 
Aug. 12, 1864 

June 9, 1862 
July 3, 1862 

Mar. 9, 1863 

Sept. 10, 1864 
Mar. 15, 1862 


Marietta, Ga .' 


Died at Kingston, Ga., of 
wounds ; interred in sec. 
A, grave 142. 

Died at Chewalla, Tenn... 


stout Walter 


Corinth, Miss 


Strirklniid Wm. H.. 


Shiloh, Tenn 


Died at Pittsburg Land- 
ing, Tennessee. 
Died of wounds received 


Sunderland, Casnio 
Sunderland, James.. 


Marietta, Ga 


Marietta, Ga 


May 28, 1864, in battle of 
Dallas, Georgia. 
Died at East Point, Ga 


Marietta, Ga 


Died of wounds received 


Tanner, George W... 
Thomas, David 

Thomas, David H... 
Thompson, R. W 


Corinth, Miss 


July 28, 1864, in action 
near Atlanta, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. G, grave 
1386. 
Died of disease. 


Memphis, Tenn 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 
Marietta, Ga 


Died at Lafayette, Tenn., 
of disease; interred in 
Mis.sissippi River Ceme- 
tery. 

Died of wounds received 
May 14, 1864, in battle of 
Resaca, Georgia. 

Died of wounds ; interred 
in sec. G, grave 147. 

Killed in assault of Kene- 


Tinnie John 


Vicksburg, Miss 

Chattanooga, Tenn.. 

St. Louis, Mo 


saw Mountain, Ga.; in- 
terred in sec. I, grave 366. 
Died at Camp Sherman, 


Townsend, John D.. 


Miss., of disease. 
Died at Allatoona, Ga., of 

wounds received June 13, 

1864; interred in sec. L, 

grave 451. 
Died in hospital of disease; 

interred in Christ Church 

Cemetery, grave 180. 
Died in hospital at Padu- 

cah, Ky., of disease. 
Died at Scottsboro, Ala., 

of disease ; interred in 

sec. P, grave 173. 
Died of disease : interred 


Tucker, Walter 

Turner, William 

Tnttle. .losenh 


Cairo, 111 


Chattanooga, Tenn.. 

Memphis, Tenn 

Jackson, O 




in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 
Died in Jackson county. 




Shiloh, Tenn 


O., of disease. 
Died on board hospital 


Videtoe, James 


Cairo, Ill...f 


boat on Tennessee river. 
Died at Mound City, 111., 




of disease. 
Died of disease. 


Wi 1 d ron William 


Marietta, Ga 


Killed near Atlanta, Qa.; 


Walls, William 

Waters, Hanson 

Washburn, Peiui.W. 

Waters, Joshua 

Weaver, Francis M.. 


Shiloh, Tenn 


interred in sec. H, grave 
722. 
Died at Monterey, Tenn., 


Memphis, Tenn 

Memphis, Tenn 

Marietta, Ga 


of disease. 

Died in Field Hospital at 
Moscow, Tenn., of dis- 
ease ; interred in Missis- 
sippi River Cemetery. 

Died of disea.se ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died' of disease ; interred 


New Albany, Ind 


in sec. G, grave 1046. 
Died at Paducah, Ky., of 
disease. 



5;1rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



223 



Names. 



Wl'U'Iht, Calvin 



West, David C 

West, Thomas A 

Wicklino. Honry 

Williams, .l;uiies H., 

Williams, John 



Wills, Peter A 

Willsoii, John 



Wilson, James M, 



Co. 



Wilson, Perry. 



Wiiiterburn, C. L.. 
Wise, Michael 



Wolf, Lewis B 

Wood. Benjamin ; I 

Wood, L.J K 



Rank. 



Died. 



Wagoner 

Private 
Private 
Corporal 
Private 

Private 

Private 
Private 



Auk- 

May 

April 

May 

Nov. 



24, 
29, 

28, 
2, 



1K62 

1862 
1862 
1861 
1862 



A UK. 26, 1864 



Mar. 
Ju!y 



12, 
3, 



1862 
1862 



Private Nov. 2,1862 



Private Juno !), 1.H62 



Buried. 



Hemarks. 



Corinth, Miss 

New Albany, Ind.... 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Memphis, Tenn 



Marietta, Ga. 



Memphis, Tenn., 



Private i April 
1st Sergt. Aug. 



Corporal May 
Private April 
Private Nov. 



1862 
186-1 



1862 
1362 
1861 



Woodworth, John... B Private 



Woolman. Joel G I B 

Wouher. Charles ! B 

Yerian, Daniel F 



Yost, George H.. 



Ziuimernuui, Louis. 



1st Scrgt. Sept. 
Corporal Feb. 
Private Aug. 



Private 
Private 



Aug. 
Feb. 



2.5, 

22, 

is! 



22, 
18, 



1864 
1864 



Mem|)his, Tenn Died at Fort Pickering, 

Tenn., of disease; in- 
terred in Mississippi 
River Cemetery. 

Died in Field Hospital of 
disease. 

Died at Kvansville, Ind., 
of disease. 

Killed in battle of Dallas, 
Georgia. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died in General Hospital 
j of disease; interred in 
I sec. O, grave 10"8. 

Cairo, 111 iDied at Paducah, Ky., of 

I disease. 

Memphi.s, Tenn (Died at Moscow, Tenn., 

of disease : interred in 
Mississippi River Ceme- 
tery. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Corinth, Miss Died at Chewalla, Tenn., 

of disease. 

Killed in battle. 

Died of wounds received 
June 27, 1864, in battle of 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.; 
interred in sec. Ci, grave 
1208. 

Died of disease. 

.Shiloh, Tenn iKilled in battle. 

Cincinnati, O iDied at Camp Dennison, 

I O., of disease ; interred in 
Spring Grove Cemetery. 

Died in hospital at Mos- 
cow, Tenn., of disease; 
interred in Mississippi 
River Cemetery. 

Died of disease. 

Drowned in Ohio river. 

Died of disease ; interred 
in Mississippi River Cem- 
etery. 

Died near Chewalla, Ten- 
nessee, of disease. 

Died in Pike county of 
disease. 



Shiloh, Tenn. 
Marietta, Ga. 



June 22, 1862 Memphis, Tenn.. 



1862 

1S62 

1862 Memphis, Tenn 



Corinth, Miss.. 
Beaver, O 



mm 
mm 


mm 



224 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



53RD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



FIELD AND STAFF. 



Colonels, Jesse J. Appier, Wells S. Jones ; Lientenant Col- 
onels, Robert A. Fnlton, Preston R. Galloway ; Majors, Harrison 
S. Cox, Ephriam C. Dawes ; Surgeons, William M. Cake, John 

A. Lair ; Assistant Surgeons, James P. Bing, Robert L. Vanhar- 
lingen, Samuel Mather, William F. Hani ; Adjutants, William 

B. Stephenson, George W. Cavett, James D. Roberts ; R. Q. M., 
Joseph W. Fulton, Edward G. Morrison, Eli J. Gorby, Thomas 
S. Harkins ; Chaplains, Thomas K. Mclntyre, Frederick J. Grif- 
fith; Sergeant-Majors George N. Gray, John D. Moore, Peter S. Mc- 
Lellan; Q. M. S., Milton K. Bosworth, Charles D Higby ; Com. 
Ser., Joseph T. Vincent, Robert H. Brewster, Henry Sidel, Henry 

C. Foreman, John Kesner ; Hos. St'd., Wiliam L. Wood ; Prin. 
Mus., Isaac Roberts, Albert H. Clawson. 

COMPANY A. 

Captains, Wells S. Jones, Robert A. Starkey, Robert Curren; 
First Lieutenant, George W. Eddy ; Second Lieutenant, P'rank 
M. Lewis, Jessie M. Shoop. 

The following are the other members of the company, John 
W. Pearce, John McClay, William Rodman, Andrew J. Stanley, 
Richard McChesney, Francis P. Wolford, Alford J. Kellison, 
Gilbert R. Shopshire, John N. Lutton, Henry Sydell, Peter T. Mc- 
Lellan, David T, Bartley, Henry Potter, Daniel W. Hopper, 
Alexander B. McBride, Isaac Armstrong, William M. Smith, 
Samuel S. Dodds, William F. Truesdell, Phillip Waldron, James 
Anderson, John T. Anderson, Hugh Adams, Legrand B. Alex- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 225 



ander, Stephen Armstrong, James Burk, William Boyd, James 
Boyd, Nathan A. Boyd, Moses Bolton, James P. Brown, George 
R. Brown, Oliver M. Brown, Alexander Brown, William Brown, 
Franklin Barnhemier, John Bnrns, Joseph Carroll, Elijah Carter, 
Caleb Crabtree, William C. Dodds, Oren C. Dodds, James M. 
Dodds, William A. Dodds, Samnel H. Delay, John S. Delay, 
Moses P. Dawson, Alexander Dunn, Robert J. Dunn, George W. 
Duke, George W. Davis, John H. Darlin, George Ellington, Isaac 
Fry, Andrew J. Groves, George Geary, William J. Hopper, Gil- 
bert M. Hankins, Francis M. Hollobaugh, Benjamin Hammond, 
William Hilt, Robert Irons, Francis M. Ingols, Adam Jordon, 
Adolphus T. Jenkins, John M. Jones, Charles H. Kennison, 
Hysan D. Kennison, Franklin B. Kellison, Daniel F. Kellison, 
Joseph Kilgore, John Kilgore, Mahlon Lawson, Andrew Lawson, 
Jacob E. Lewis, Samnel Lewis, William H. Lucas, Thomas 
B. McMurray, William S. McMurray, John A. McMurray, 
Samuel J. McMurray, John McFarland, John McChesney, 
John McDougal, Thompson McDougal, John Moore, John 
D. Moore, John R. Meyers, Philip Mould, James Y. Maxwell. 
Lycurgus Mechliny, Anderson Merritt, Josephus Peacock, Jacob 
Pry, James E. Petrie, Charles D. Potter, Madison Rockwell, 
Joseph Rodman, Isaiah Robison, John Robison, William Spencer, 
William Snyder, Richard E. Shepperd, George N. (W) Shepperd, 
William H. Strickland, William K. Stoner, Samuel H. Sloan, 
John M. Sloan, Samuel B. Slagle, John A. Slagle, Cyrus Steward, 
Arvillis Steward, Henry C. Sheldon, John W. Shopshire, James 
Vandergriff, Milton Williams, Barris A. Waldron, William Wal- 
dron, David A. Wills, Peter A. (W) Wills, William Walls, Charles 
L. Winterburn, Alvin Wade, John H. Wiltshire, William War- 
tenbee, Andrew York, George C. Zicafoose, Lewis Zicafoose. 

COMPANY B. 

Captains, John I. Parrill, Morrell G. McNeal ; First Lieuten- 
ants, Joseph W. Fulton, Robert E. Phillips, David M. Burchfield, 
Nathan S. Elliott ; Second Lieutenants, Spencer McLead, Fred- 
erick Stalder. 



226 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



The following are the other members of the company : Joel 
G. Woolman, Elbridge G. Lewis, Samuel A. Love, Edwin F. 
Glazris, Squire Dillie, William Dillie, Franklin A. Work, Michael 
Definaugh, Henry Finstewald, Thomas Kellie, Luther T. Camp- 
bell, Charles Worthern, Lewis Woolf. Franklin Doan, Almarien 
Kelly, John R., Wickham, James Meighen, Elias Alexandria, 
Thomas Andrews, Joseph W. Brooks, George Burton, Alva D. 
Buckley, Charles B. Blood, Marcena Barrows, Joseph W. Brook, 
William Bishop, Gilbert Bennett, William A. Cane, Frederick 
Coker, Elisha H. Cross, James F. Crippen, William Campbell, 
Benjamin Daily, William Driggs, James Dillie, Josiah R. Dunbar, 
Warren K. Dunbar, Jakiel Davis, Alonzo Deal, Malone Donaldson, 
Alphonso Droze, Carey B. Duton, Aaron W. Durfee, Sardine 
Frost, Henry Foreman, Benjamin Fagan, Bernard Garrety, James 
M. Graham, Ezekiel Gillett, George T. Harrison, Lucius Hill, 
Joseph Hill, Robert Hammond, Richard D. Hammond, Ezra In- 
man, Nathan Inman, Samuel J. Jiffers, David W. James, John B. 
Jones, William M. Jeffers, Edmund Kelly, Elias Linscott, Curtis 
Lantz, Jediah E. Linscott, Andrew Ludwick, Frederick Luchts, 
Theodore Lawhead, Otto O. Lewis, Reuben B. Linscott, Francis 
M. Lawhead, George H. Love, Wesley Lee, Finley B. McGrew, 
Andrew J. McKinney, Alonzo J. McCune, Abner L. Monroe, Dav- 
id C. Noyce, Aaron Ogg, Thomas J. Ogg, John J. Parks, William 
F. Porter, Joseph A. Pamel, James D. Powell, EHwood E. Picker- 
ing, Jasper C. Pickering, Warren Pierce, Harvey L. Pierce, Wil- 
lard A. Riggs, Jessie P. Seaman, Samuel Stubbs, Cosmo Sunder- 
land, James Sunderland, James W. Sedwick, Thomas Smith, Wal- 
ter Stout, John Starling, Kinsey Sunderland, Austin Smith, 
George Smith, David H. Thomas, Samuel P. Tucker, Daniel 
Tucker, Macair H. Tucker, Walter Tucker, Elza Tucker, Hugh 
Thomas, Samuel Thomas, Joshua Tanar, John D. Townsend, 
Elijah Vernon, Enoch Vernon, Asa Vernon, Jesse Vernon, James 
Wakely, Andrew J. Wakely, Lewis Worthen, Eli A. Weekly, 
Joshua Waters, William T. Worthen, Joseph White, Hanso Wat- 
ers, Perry Wilson, John Woodworth, Joseph M. Wise. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 227 

COMPANY C. 

Captains, Frederick J. Griffith, Jacob W. Davis, Joseph M. 
Long ; First Lientenant, Morrill G. McNeal, Kendall D. Lindsay, 
Patrick L. O. Donnel, Calvin A. Campbell, Nathan Goodrich. 

The following are the other members of the company : 
Marshall J. Smith, James R. Feurt, Hardin Courtney, 
Enoch Owens, Isaac N. Long, Isaac Wheeler, Samuel F. 
Berry, Jasper N. Smith, Hezekiah Sheppard, James W. (H.) 
Silcott, Simon G. Redmon, Filmon V. Williams, vSmith Bra- 
cy, Benjamin Allard, Samuel B. Carson, John L. Grimes, John 
R. Johnson, William Lingham, William H. Mitchell, William 
Steel, Henry Allard, Henry Burt, James F. Berry, Jo- 
seph Bryant, William H. Brown, William B. Burk, Vol- 
ney R. Burk, James F. Brown, Charles G. Belcher, Henry Booker, 
Clay Byrn, William Bender, Charles W. Boyer, Evi Ballenger, 
John B. Belcher, Thomas W. Crain; George A. Clossene, John 
Carrigan, Bernard Carrigan, Benjamin F. Colegrove, John Clopine, 
Jacob Cline, George Clopine, Jacob Crabtree, John Crabtree, 
Theodore Clark, Lewis Crabtree, Alexander Campbell, James G. 
Carson, Albert H. Clawson, Isaiah Dean, Thomas Deaver, John A. 
Delaney, Jacob Danglemyre, Norman Davis, John Dyson, Wil- 
liam Doherty, Henry Davis, John M, Ellison, James E. Ellison, 
Hiram G. Ellison, William A. Ellison, Jeremiah S. Ewing, Wil- 
liam Fullerton, Bennett W. Ford, Hiram G. Funk, Robert French, 
Aaron French, Smith French, Joseph French, Benjamin F. Gif- 
ford, John E. Gilfillin, Benjamin Griffin, James P. Green, Baro- 
onet Gow, Samuel Gow, Thaddeus Huddleson, Robert Hood, 
Samuel C. Howell, Abel Howard, Enos J. Hatfield, William F. 
Hale, John Hcnning, Archibald S. Higgins, James H. Larrison, 
Abraham Lutz, Theodore Lutz, Jefferson Martin, Daniel McMan- 
nigle, Odeal Monshang, James Moles, Moses McCoy, William H. 
Moore, Harvey Moore, August Newman, Michael B. Nye, James 
C. Nye Cooper Owens, Marvin Owens, Isaac Pyles, William Proc- 
tor, Herman Randall, Vernon Row, Mathias Rowley, John C. 



228 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Russell, Nicholas Riissel, Perry A. Shumate, Joseph Shoemaker, 
Commodore P. Stephens, Jonathan Seth, Jeremiah Sayer, John 
Weeks, Lewis W. Williams, James W. Wingate, John Walch, 
William Young, George H. Yost. 

COMPANY D. 

Captains, Henry C. Messenger, Charles K. Crummit ; First 
Lieutenant, Calvin D. Brooks, James H. Boyce ; Second Lieuten- 
ant, Francis B. Gilbert, Samuel N. Missner, 

The following are the other members of the company : 
George N. Gray, Patrick H. Garrett, Carey Welker, George 
Moser, William McDonald, Hugh May, James K. Henson, Hazen 
H. Soul, John Tilly, Henry Sykes, Charles Burgess, Abraham 
Rankin, William Oliver, Phineas F. Kinney, Ezekiel K. Jarvis,. 
Thomas Butler, John Ackley, Andrew C. McNeal, William E. 
Blackheart, John Moser, John Swanson, Abraham R. Eicher, 
George G. Liston. Isaac Roberts, John C. Clayton, Barnard Ank- 
rom, Jesse Ankrom, Richard Allen, Obed Ackley, Thomas Butcher, 
William Barbee, Allen Boies, George W. Byers, Charles Barbee, 
Joseph Brewster, George Buchanan, Jackson Chafhn, Barney Can- 
ter, Simon C. Canter, James R. Cook, Thomas W. Cook, Henry N. 
Cook, Andrew J. Dempsey, Henry Dyke, Jacob Dey, Henry Ed- 
wards, Jacob Funk, John V. Farber, Samuel Garrett, Joseph Gar- 
rett, Asbury Greene, Joseph Galbreath, Walter B. Hook, William. 
R. Hite, John Haskett, John Hockinghamer, Thomas Hood, Sam- 
uel Hood, Asa Jenkins, William W. Johnson, Foster Lile, Syl- 
vanus Lockard, John Lockard, Stephen Lockard, Thomas Lawton, 
Philip Logan, William S. McGinnis, James McNallis, Andrew C. 
McNeal, George McGhee, William Mix, Alvin Manering, John 
Mead, Patrick Mead, David Moran, James Morrison, Anthony 
Malone, James Nunly, John O'Brien, Milburn Powers, Robert 
Patterson, James Peterson, Joseph Peters, Thomas Ragan, James 
N. Rawlins, Enoch R. Russell, David Randall, Cyrus Rose, John 
Sinclair, Archibald Smith, Hugh Swaney, Ami W. Swanson, John 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 229 

Shultz, John Saltz, Isaiah Shafer, Smith vStephenson, Abraham 
Scott, William Tolbert, Charles Thomason, Patrick Trainer, Wil- 
liam H. Ultz, William West, Alexander Walker, William Wallis, 
Artluir N. Wade, James R. Walsh, John Wilson, Henry Zimmer- 
man. 

COMPANY E. 

Captains, Samuel W. Baird, William W. Gilbert ; First Lieu- 
tenants, Eustace H. Ball, William B. Irwin ; Second Lieutenant, 
Robert E. Phillips. 

The following are the other members of the company : Mich- 
ael Wise, Robert B. Clere, Owen Shannon, John McCall, Robert 
Elliott, Thomas McFarland, William W. Martindale, Henry King, 
Nicholas F. Bart, James H.Kidd, Lewis Jenkins, Samuel Scott, John 
McLain, John L. Kizer, Curtis Lantz, Perry Andrews, Hamilton Al- 
ton, William Adams, Jacob F. Barkell, Andrew Blankenship, Daniel 
Bartoe, John Bartoe, John Bohen, James Baldman, Enoch Bash- 
ford, Aaron Butler, Bazell Butler, John S. Curtis, Jefferson Canter, 
Franklin Callahan, Thomas Carroll, Job Cline, William P, 
Creighton, Adolphus M. Cunningham, Smith Cox, Sampson J. 
Calhoun, George W. Calvert, Thomas Dolan, John R. Davis, Jor- 
dan Ewing, Patrick F'eeney, John Franklin, John V. Farber, 
Thomas Fife, Peter Gimer, Joshua W. Grice, George F. Harrison, 
Daniel Higgins, Robert W. Hoyland, William Hudson, Thomas 
Hines, Henry Hill, Joseph Jenkins, John T. Jones, Presley Jenk- 
ins, Zacariah Jenkins, William King, Alfred King, Jacob A. Kiser, 
Hugh Liden, Henry Lane, Mansel Lenepar, John McDonald, 
William McDowell, James Mackey, James Murray, Patrick Mur- 
ray, Japhet Minard, John D. Moore, Enos B. Newell, Robert 
O'Hara, James T. Penn, John Perkins, Thomas Ragan, Silas 
Rice, John Rice, Peter Romines, John W. Roach, George Rus- 
sell, John Roland, William B. Stephenson, Reuben Smuthers, 
Franklin Smathers, Henry Smathers, John Shields, Charles M. 
Slack, Newton Singer, Barney Simmers, Andrew Simmers, Peter 



230 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Tidwilder, John G. Thorn, Williard Thompson, Joseph T. Vincent, 
James Videtoe, William A. Wade. 

COMPANY F. 

Captains, James R. Percy, Joshua E. Bailey ; First Lieu- 
tenants, Charles K. Crumit, George W. Cavett, John D. Moore, 
David Lasley ; Second Lieutenant, Thomas Mclntyre. 

The following are the other members of the company, Jas. D. 
Foster, James Daniel, David F. Crockett, Richard H. Wells, Moses 
Daily, George W. McCray ; Charles D. Higby, Thomas Hall, Eli 
Halterman, John G. Richards, Laken J. Kirkpatrick, Samuel 
Austin, Eli Hawk, George Chick, Peter Carnes, Matthew Lyons, 
Rufus P. March; Randall G. Butler, George W. Head. Wil- 
liam M. Austin, Nathan Adams, Asa Allen, David Aumiller, 
Louis E. Booth, Isaac Brown, Asa Brill, Augustus Bolteuhouse, 
William J. Bowers, George W. Barker, John H. Barker, John 

C. Cooney, William Clark, Samuel Clark, Austin .Cotteral, 
Elisha J. Q. Cartright, Hallam H. Cissna, Martin Comar, George 
W. Culp, John H. Cotterman, Arthur W. Chenoweth, Jordan 
Deal, John K, Duke, William H. Davis, Robert Darling, James 

D, Exline, Jacob Floyd, William Franklin, Henry Fritz, Peter 
Gallagher, John Gills, James P. House, James M. Hambric, 
Josiah Haman, Christopher Heath, Jacob Hawk, William F. Hale, 
Martin Howe, Charles Halterman, David E. Kirkpatrick, George 
Knox, Abel Larison, James C. Lucas, Joseph L. Lee, Nathan 
Lott, John Mann, James Miller, John M. Moore, Thomas McGraw, 
Andrew J. McNiel, Augustus Maloon, Elijah R. Mackey, James P. 
Mackey, Joseph W. Mackey, James C. Noland, John O'Harrow, 
John Runnels, Moses Romine, Jeremiah M. Rickey, John Rose, 
David M. Samson, Elias V. Samson, John S. Samson, Joseph M. 
Sickles, Jacob Smeltzer, Henry R. M. Spencer, Joseph M. Steel, 
William Sweney, Henry C. Simmerman, Felix Smith, William L. 
Smith, James Smith, Francis Smith, Isaac N. Teal, Joseph 
Thompson, Richard Wells, Daniel Wells, Isaac J. Wells, John 
Williams, James H. (M.) Williams, Francis Marion Weaver, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 231 

Fredeiick Ware, James H. Wolf, James M. Wilson, David C. 

West, John E. Ycrian, Daniel Yerian, Louis Zimmerman, John 

Zimmerman. 

COMPANY G. 

Captains, Lorenzo Fulton, George K. Hosford, Joseph W. 
Fulton, George W. Eddy ; First Lieutenants, George E. Cutler, 
David M. Burchfield, Henry C. Foreman ; Second Lieutenant, 
Elijah J. Copeland, John W. Earles. 

The following are the other members of the company : Sam- 
uel R. B-tts, Charles L. Earles, William B. McKinney, Wallace W. 
Johnson, William Gardner, Martin S. Everett, Isaac Durfee, Wil- 
liam Younkins, Henry A. Wickline, Andrew F. Ogg, David K. 
Dilley, Aaron L. Ramsey, Isaac Vandike, Amasa Patterson, Willis 
IMcConnel, William H. Jones, Andrew J. Beller, John S. (V.) 
Sperling, Albert Stratton, Johnson Bartlett, John Beasley, David 
Beasley, David Beasley, George Beasley, Samuel Brooks, John 
Brooks, Joseph Border, Andrew Belcher, James F. Bellison, Wil- 
liam B. Bowden, John Bowden, Andrew J. Clark, W'illiam Camp- 
bell, William Cazad, Alexander Cameron, James H. Cameron, 
Jonathan Cross, Aiken Copeland, J. Reed Copeland, Thomas Dib- 
bins, Robert Duncan, Samuel Elderkin, George W. Farmer, 
Charles Frisby, John Gosset, William (F^.) Greenlee, John Gard- 
ner, Leander Gardner, Nathan Green, Alfred Grindstaff, Hiram 
Grindstaff, John P. Henry, Joseph C. Hollenbeck, James Hoy, 
James E. Johnson, John W. Johnson, Jeremiah C. Johnson, John 
Johnston, Bartlett Johnston, Thomas Kelley, Joseph Kasler, Aaron 
Kearns, Peter Kingry, Elias Linscott, Abraham Lewis, John W. 
Marshal, Sampson xMartin, Paul Morgan, George W. McKinney, 
Perry McLaughlin, Theodore McMillen, Harvey Mount, Pierson 
Miller, William R. Miller, Henry Miller, Peter Mercer, William 
Mercer, Robert S. Masters, James McKnight, Anthony Mc Knight, 
John Nichols, James Nichols, Johnson O'Neil, George M. Patter- 
son, Elias G. Patterson, Lemon Peck, John Rogers, John Rath- 
burn, William Reese, Peter Rust, Maston G. Strong, John E. 



232 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Stewart, Peter S. Suydam, Alfred Storms, Morgan Stanley, Steph- 
en L. Sweet, James Spear, Charles M. Tucker, Charles Tipton, 
Wichard W. Thompson, George W. Tanner, William Wogar, 
William Wyatt, William L. Wood, Perminus W. Washburn, 
Thomas Wilson, William M. White, Robert Walls. 

COMPANY H. 
Captains, David H. Lasley, Elias J. Gorby ; First Lieuten- 
ants, Harvey L. Black, George H. Cake, Bartlett Boice ; Second 
Lieutenants, Jonathan H. Lasley, Thomas J. Bradley. 

The following are the other members of the company : Mil- 
ton K. Bosworth, David Lasley, Albert G. Lee, James D. Roberts, 
Jonathan Rupe, Alexander H. Shuler, William Bradbury, Lewis 
W. Mauck, Jonathan Carson, William H. Bates, Elisha P. Meek, 
Silas S. Fultz, David Skinner, Levi Dasher, Dennis G. Armstrong, 
Jonas Butcher, William H. Butcher, Jones Butcher, Eli Butcher, 
Melvin Boice, Thomas R. Cummings, George Coy, Alexander 
Calhoun, William Ney Cable, John Enoch Dixon, Henry Barton 
Fox, Charles Elihu Fox, William Asa Fitch, Mathias Fife, Wil- 
liam Farmer, William H. Gilmore, Henry Grapes, John F. Gil- 
lingham, Harvey W. Gillingham, Jasper Hysel, Thomas E. 
Holland, John D. Huff, Marion Hill, Jacob Heinman, John W. 
Haynes, John Hatfield, Daniel Irvin, Henry Jones, Chas. F. (T.) Ly- 
ons, Samuel W. Lynch, John H. Lynch, Benj. F. Loury, Matthew 
Lasley, Robert J .McCoy, Chas. Henry Murray. Wm. Morgan, John 
A. Mercer, Matthew G. McConnell, Matthew Mauck, Moses R. 
Matthews, John R. Matthews, John S. Manley, Isaac H. Mankins, 
William Munley, Jackson Neff, Nathan Parkins, Matthew Park- 
ins, Benjamin F. Rathburn, Jasper Ravenscraft, Peleg M. Rum- 
field, Henry Richard Rawlins, John Andrew Reader, Isaac Rad- 
ford, John P. Stedman, George W. Shibler, John M. Sisson, Alex- 
ander Shuler, Jacob Saylor, John B. Thomas, Joseph Thomas, 
John W. Turner, James Turner, George W. Torrence, David 
Thomas, William G. Wilson, Andrew Wise, Michael White, 
rles Henry Watson, Charles S. Walker. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 233 



COMPANY I. 

Captains, David F. Harkins, Frank M. Lewis, David M. 
Bnrchfield ; First Lientenants, Stiles B. Messinger, Samuel P. 
Gorby, Samuel R. Betts ; Second Lieutenants, George N. Gray, 
James C. P'oster, 

The following are the other members of the company : Rob- 
ert H. Brewster, Isaac Linduff, Benjamin F". Gorby, Isaac Boat- 
man, Thomas S. Harkins, John F. Vale, John Kesner, Alfred 
"Brown, John Holliday, Eli Kdmundson, David S. Harkins, Ben- 
jamin }^. Addis, Elias J. Gorby, P'rancis M. Brown, James Duffy, 
George N. Gorby, John S. Gorby, Levi Shirkey. William H. 
Sheldon, Jesse H. Turner, Matthew T. Edmundson, Charles Ed- 
mundson, William D. Gorby, John W. Allen, Thomas E. Aughin- 
baugh, David Aleshire, Thomas J. Aleshire, Tennison B. Ander- 
son, Dillard S. Barton, i\lexander Bain, Nicholas M. Baird, John 
Barnhill, Reuben Bridwell, James Behem, Harvey Brown, Wil- 
liam Brown, Joseph J. Barrett, Jonathan S. Barrett, William R. 
Col well, Austin Crowell, John D. Clark, Wm. H. Campbell, Wm. A. 
Chappelear, Henry H. (C.) Carr, Robert L- Deartnond, James H. 
Dyke, John C. Davis, William H. Davis, William H. H. Douglass, 
James Douglass, John Douglass, Moses P. Dawson, Christopher J. 
Dawson, Ripley Eaubanks, George W. Eaubanks, Samuel Ewing, 
James M. Edmundson, Henry H. Prowler, William Gorby, Peter 
Gregory, Aaron Henson, Peter Hoffman, John W. Harkins, Sam- 
uel R. Halliday, John M. Halliday, Drayton Hayes, Jacob Kenni- 
son, Allen Keepers, Newton Kirkbride, Oliver Lyle, Boyd Lvle, 
Isaac Lyle, William P. Leonard, John McCann, Elijah Maze, Da- 
vis McManaway, John H, McCray, Asa A. Melton, Lewis Mapes, 
David Neal, John Ogden, James Otz, Thomas Plummer, Green- 
ville Poor, Thomas M. Patterson, Robert Patterson, Louis Queen, 
Charles D, Russell, Lones M. Redferen, Henry Rife, Eli Rife, 
Mills Rogers, Charles W. Rice, Lawson Reddic, John W. Rock- 
hold, Richard J. Roush, James Scadden, William Scadden, Rufus 
W. Strong, Jacob W. (V.) Smith, George Skidmore, John ShieJ =' 



234 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Miles Standish, Joseph Shirkey, George A. Townsend, William 
Turner, John Tippie, Benjamin Thomas, Isaac Vernon, Henry 
Verigan, Thomas A. West, William F. Willis, Benjamin Wood, 
William L. Wood, David Whan, William C. Williams, Williim H. 
Williams, Albert C. Williams, James A. Williams. 

COMPANY K. 

Captain Preston P . Galloway ; First Lieutenants, Stafford 
McMillen, Joshua Bailey, William Warrell ; Second Lieutenant, 
William Shay. 

The following are the other members of the company : Ed- 
ward F. McAvoy, William A. Hearst, Moses Murphy, Isaac Fow- 
ler, Otis Breubaker, Galusha Howard, John Logan, Jacob Beal, 
Theodore Hard, Josiah Beal, John McFarland, Nathan Rulen, 
Barney Smith, Jacob Ross, John Carton, James Daugherty, Ezra 
A. Shank, William B. French, Albert W. Hearst, Edmond C. 
Staight, Daniel Warrel, Bronson Devers, Henry Holmes, Calvin 
Welcher, John Bergert, Samuel Burchfield, Zacariah Berry, 
Thomas J. Butterworth, David Boze, Ezekial Brown, Matthew 
O. Brown, Martin Beasley, George E. Breyfogle, A. W. Crawford, 
John Carmody, John Canady, John Chalmers, Jacob Crynoe. 
Charles Cook, Eli Cook, Cyrus W. Corwin, Abraham Claire, 
Peter Conklin, William E. Darrah, Robert Darrah, Robert W. 
Darrah, Thomas Dougherty, John W. Davis, James Davis, Pat- 
rick Downey, George Eider, John A. Fisher, Noah F>rrell, John 
H. Garrison Joseph Gerrick, William D. Gaby, John Gould, 
Richard Gould, Henry Gravel, Noah Gilbert, Matthew Guard, Geo. 
Gard, William J. (G) Gard, Martin Gard, Simon Hues, Daniel 
Hoshington, William Howes, Charles Howes, Michael Heselbeck, 
Milton Jones, William C. Jordon, William Jellison, John W. Jel- 
lison, William Justus, George Lindsey, John Loyd, James Lin, 
Louis Lang, Thomas Lowery, George Mosher, Jefferson Moore, 
Peter Millingman, Martin Mungiven, Michael Maloy, Thomas 
Murray, Charles H. Murry, Adam Masser, John H. Matchett, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 



23;j 



Henry C. Masterson, Peter McConal, John P,. McClure, William 
B. McKibben, Daniel McCleary, FM McConochy, Thomas McCon- 
ochy, Daniel B. Nichols, David North, Luke O'Connor, Pxlward 
Parker, Morris Pero, J. L. Pratt, James Ryan, John Shoulmyre, 
John Sowern, Lewis Sluirtz, John V. Straight, P^manuel Schril)er, 
Daniel Smith, Isaac Stelts, Joseph Tuttle, Charles Thrasher, Ben- 
jamin F. Taylor, Jonathan Thatcher, Richard J. Voca, Calvin 
Welcher, Joseph Whitmore, Godlape Wooster, Daniel Wever, 
Chester Warrell, Louis Webber, Henry Williams, L. J. Wood. 
James Woods, John A. Woods, Joel Zumbrum. 



11 


m 



PART SECOND. 






PERSONAL SKETCHES AND 
REMINISCENCES. 



53rd OHIO VOIvUNTEER INFANTRY. 239 



THK REMAINING PAGES of this volume will be devoted to 
personal sketches of the ex-officers and men of the 53rd 
Regiment. No partiality has been shown by the author in the 
selection of a particular class of either officers or men ; in the pur- 
suit of facts and personal history he has solicited all of the officers, 
and has generally urged replies. The correspondence incident to 
the collecting of data and the dictation of the manuscript has been 
voluminous, and for the most part pleasant and satisfactory. Only 
occasionally has a crank been encountered. In numerous in- 
stances the author's sympathetic nature has been aroused to an 
extent that would not admit of publication. A few only have 
treated the correspondence disrespectfully, but perhaps not inten- 
tionally so ; but whatever the cause, the mantle of charity will 
cover it, and the author extends hand and heart in loyalty, devo- 
tion, and loving kindness to each and all of the comrades, be they 
officers, non-commissioned officers, or of the rank. The God of 
Battles, has been kind to each of us, why should not we as 
we travel down life's shady vale evince the same spirit towards 
each other ? The war is over, so also let all differences, if there be 
any, be silenced and forgotten. The historian was neither part 
nor parcel of any faction during the war, and thirty-five years re- 
mote from that period he will not enter into any such entangle- 
ments. 

It would have been a pleasure and a delight to mention ev- 
ery one by name and recount some valorous deed of each, but the 
finances furnished for the publication of the history were inade 
quate, even to make personal mention of all those contributing. 

On the field of battle no officers or men ever displayed more 
of coolness, courage and discipline than did those of the 53rd 
O. V. V. I. 



240 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 

BY 

GENERAL WELLS S. JONES. 

At the earnest request of the committee on regimental history 
of the 53rd O. V. V. I., the writer has prepared for the his- 
tory the following sketch of the life of Comrade John K. Duke, to 
whom more than to any one else the survivors of the 53rd regi- 
ment are indebted for the intelligent account of the part they took 
in the war of the rebellion from 1861 to 1865. 

The magnitude of his labors may be imagined when it is 
known that it was more than thirty years after the close of the 
war, and the disbandment of the regiment, before he began the 
work of gathering together the fragments which he has woven in- 
to a most interesting history. 

Two or three prior efforts by members of the regiment had 
ended in failure, and a man with less courage, indomitable energy, 
and spirit of comradeship would have been deterred from under- 
taking the task at this late date. Comrades Brewster, Dawes and 
Truesdale had each been assigned to the work, but before its comple- 
tion all had been summoned to the final roll call by death, and 
the surviving members of the regiment unanimously requested 
their comrade, John K. Duke, to prepare for publication an ac- 
count of their marches, battles and services during the war, which 
should preserve the memories of their sacrifices, and those of their 
heroic comrades, who gave their lives in camp and on the field of 
battle, that their country might live. 

John K. Duke was born in Piketon, Pike county, Ohio, Au- 
gust 20th, 1844, and is the son of Samuel aud Elizabeth (Ware) 
Duke. 




HISTORIAN JNO. K. DUKE 
As a Soldier Boy, Age 17. 




HISTORIAN JNO. K. DUKE. Age 56. 



5.3rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 241 



His father died in March of 1846, leaving him to the care of 
his widowed mother, who died in May, 1883. He lived in Piketon 
and attended the common schools, acqniring a good, practical edu- 
cation. He enlisted in Co. F, 53rd O. V. V. I., early in 1864, join- 
ing his regiment at Scottsboro, Alabama, which soon after began 
the arduous campaign for Atlanta, which ended in the occupation 
of that city by the Union forces in September, 18(54. He was 
with his regiment in all the battles and skirmishes of this cam- 
paign. 

He went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, 
and through the Carolinas to Washington, D. C, where he par- 
ticipated in the grand review. 

Subsequently his command was assigned to duty in Arkansas 
and Indian Territory, where they remained until August, 1865, 
when he was mustered out with his command. 

He has in his possession his gun and accouterments which he 
carried through his term of enlistment. 

He was a gallant and loyal soldier, with a fidelity and zeal for 
his country's cause unsurpassed by any of the brave men who 
offered their lives in the war for their country. His example in 
this regard was well worthy of emulation by his comrades. 

After the war he was engaged in school teaching, but in Octo- 
ber, 1866, he located in Portsmouth, Ohio, and has since made his 
home there, except as hereinafter mentioned. 

He became a book-keeper in a wholesale hardware store, and 
soon afterward secured a position in the Fiist National Bank, hold- 
ing this position until 1874, when he was tendered the position as 
financial manager and accountant with the Wilson Sewing Ma- 
chine company of Chicago, and for one year had an ofRce at the 
corner of Adams and State streets in that city. 

At the close of the first year's contract he was transferred to 
the company's office at 827 Broadway, New York City. 



242 HISTORICAL vSKETCH OF THE 



In a few years, his health failing, he returned to Portsmouth 
and engaged in the real estate and insurance business, representing 
fifteen of the leading American and foreign fire insurance com- 
panies. 

In 1890 he established a new system whereby loans .could be 
made for building purposes, his methods being much superior to 
the old ones for investing parties. Since that time he has built 
up a business with assets amounting to about $300,000, giving 
profitable investment to stockholders, and enabling hundreds of 
people to secure homes in Portsmouth, thus materially aiding in 
the growth and improvement of that city. 

He is secretary, treasurer and general manager of his com- 
pany, and has the reputation of being an able man of affairs. 

He occupies an eminent position in the circles of the G. A. R. 
He was the organizer and installing officer of every Post estab- 
lished in Scioto county, and also in many of the surrounding coun- 
ties in Southern Ohio. He labors untiringly for the good of the 
order ; has been a delegate to the National Encampment, and is a 
member of Bailey Post, No. 184, Portsmouth, Ohio. 

He has been a life-long member of the M. E. Church ; is also 
a member of the official board, and an efficient and enthusiastic 
worker in the Sunday School. 

He is an eloquent and instructive speaker, and often delivers 
public addresses to Grand Army, fraternal and church societies. 

The cause of education has always found in him a warm 
friend. He served as treasurer for the Board of Education of the 
city of Portsmouth for several years. 

Mr. Duke cast his first vote for President Lincoln, while in 
the army in 1864, and has never wavered in his support of Re- 
publican principles; has always been active in local politics, an 
able adviser in all public matters. He works quietly but persist- 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



243 



ently in the support of his party, which zeal arises from his honest 
conviction that the best interests of the country will be subserved 
by Republican rule. 

Mr. Duke was united in marriage in 1870, October 27th, to 
Lola C. Lloyd, daughter of Thomas G. Lloyd, an honored pioneer 
of Ohio, and a substantial resident of Portsmouth. Their only 
child, John K. Duke, Jr., is an intelligent young man, and pos- 
sesses excellent business qualifications, and is a partner with his 
father in business. 

Waverly, Ohio. 



11 


SI 



244 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



GENERAL WELLS S. JONES. 



General Jones was born in Paxton township, Ross county, 
Ohio, August 3rd, 1830, being the third of a family of eight chil- 
dren. His parents, Robert P. and Nancy (Smith) Jones, were both 
born in Berkely county, Virginia. 

In the early history of Ohio they immigrated to this State, his 
father settling on a farm in Ross county, where they lived until 
the time of their deaths. General Jones received a good common 
school education, remaining on his father's farm until he attained 
his majority. 

After teaching four years he studied medicine, graduating 
from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and then com- 
menced the practice of medicine at Waverly. 

In September, 1861, he commenced recruiting a company, and 
in October following went into Camp Diamond, at Jackson, Ohio, 
with Co. A, 53rd Regiment O. V. I., this being the first fnjl com- 
4)any recruited in Pike county to help put down the Rebellion, 

In the latter part of the winter of 1862 General Sherman was 
organizing a force at Paducah, Ky,, to ascend the Tennessee River 
and move upon Corinth, Miss. 

The 53rd Regiment joined Sherman at Paducah in February, 
1862, and became a part of his division. They remained at Padu- 
cah until March. During this month they ascended the Ten- 
nessee River, disembarking at Pittsburg Landing. Near this place 
the battle of Shiloh was fought April 6th and 7th. This was 
General Jones' first battle, and for gallant conduct he was pro- 
moted to the Colonelcy of his regiment, and immediately assumed 
command of it. 




GENEIvAL WELLS 8. JONES. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 245 

During the following spring he participated with his com- 
mand in the siege and capture of Corinth. During the summer 
and fall of 18()2 he was engaged in campaigning in Southwestern 
Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. In June, 18(>), he joined 
General Sherman's command at Vicksburg, and i)articipated in 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg. 

After the surrender of Vicksburg he joined in the pursuit of 
Johnston's army, and participated in the siege and capture of 
Jackson, Miss. In July he returned to Vicksburg, where his com- 
mand remained until September, when they ascended the Missis- 
sippi to Memphis, and marched across the country to Chattanooga, 
Tenn., where he, with his regiment, participated in the battle of 
Mission Ridge, November, 18G.']. 

After the defeat of Bragg's army at Mission Ridge, he marched 
with General Sherman to the relief of Burnside, who was besieged 
with his army in Knoxville, Tenn. After the relief of Burnside's 
army he returned via Chattanooga, to Scottsboro, Alabama, where 
he remained with his regiment during the winter, it having re- 
enlisted for three years, or during the war. In the spring and 
summer of 18G4 he participated in Sherman's campaign against 
Atlanta. 

On May 13th, 14th and l-jth he commanded his regiment at 
the battle of Resaca, Georgia ; May 27th, 28th and 29th, Dallas, 
Georgia ; June 1st to 4th, New Hope Church, Georgia ; June 27th, 
assault on Kenesaw Mountain. Georgia ; July 3rd, Ruff's Mills, 
Georgia ; July 22nd, commanded during the battle of Atlanta the 
2nd Brigade", 2nd Division, loth Army Corps, composed of the 
53rd, 54th, 37th and 47th Ohio regiments, the 111th Illinois regi- 
ment, and the 83rd Indiana. July 28th, he engaged in the battle 
of Ezra Chapel, Georgia. August 28th and 2})th, he commanded 
his brigade at Flint River, Georgia, and August 31st in the battle 
of Jonesboro, Georgia. After the surrender of Atlanta, he 
marched with his brigade with Sherman in pursuit of Hood's 



246 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

army, into Alabama; returned to Atlanta ; and November 15th 
started with General Sherman on his march to the sea. Decem- 
ber 13th, 1864, he commanded his brigade in the assault upon 
Fort McAllister, Georgia, where he was severely wounded. 

After the capture of McAllister and Savannah, in Feb., 1865, he 
went with General Sherman on his march through the Carolinas, 
participating in the battles of North Edisto River and Columbia, 
South Carolina. March 20th, 1865, he was engaged in the battle 
of Bentonville, North Carolina. 

After the battle of Bentonville he marched to Goldsboro, 
North Carolina ; after remaining at that point about ten days, he 
marched with General Sherman against Raleigh, North Carolina, 
near which place Johnston's army surrendered to General Sher- 
man, Lee having previously surrendered at Richmond, to Grant : 
after which he marched with Sherman through Richmond to 
Washington, D. C, where he took part in the grand review of 
Grant's army, after which he received orders to take his brigade 
to Louisville, Ky., where he arrived June, 1865. Soon after he 
was ordered to take his brigade to Little Rock, Arkansas, where, 
August 11th, 1865, it was mustered out of the service, he having 
been, March 13th, 1865, bre vetted Brigadier-General of United 
States Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious services. 

In September he returned home from the army, having been 
engaged in active service at the front about four years. He re- 
turned to civil life, carrying with him the respect and confidence 
of all who knew him. Returning to Waverly he resumed the 
practice of medicine, where he has since resided. 

Politically, he has always been a Republican. Forty years 
ago he started out to make Pike county a Republican county, and 
has lived to see his early hopes fully realized. He is a conspic- 
uous worker in state, district and county conventions, many of 
which he has presided over. He is a well known political orator, 
and it was through the efforts of such men that this section of the 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 247 

state is rapidly becoming Republican. He has held state and dis- 
trict offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his 
party. 

Socially, he is a man of pleasing address and unquestioned 
integrity. General Jones is a member of the Loyal Legion, Ohio 
Commandery, a Knight Templar, of the Masonic fraternity and a 
prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his 
religious belief he is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

The marriage of General Jones was celebrated in 18(j(j, when 
he was united to Miss Elizabeth H. Kincaid, of Waverly, and who 
died in LSI 6. 

In 1881, he was married to Miss Mary F. M. Wetmore, a 
daughter of Samuel F. Wetmore, one of the pioneer newspaper 
men of Waverly. Three children were born to them, Robert R., 
Willard T. S., and Mary K. 

The subject of this sketch, as might be reasonably expected, 
has retained an interest in state and national affairs. True, he 
sheathed his sword and returned to the practice of his honored 
profession and business pursuits, in which he has been remuner- 
atively successful. His religion and patriotism has ever been 
based upon behalf of right and country and for the advancement 
of the boys who followed his leadership for four weary years of 
war. His record during the subsequent years has been to sub- 
stantiate the fact that he did not believe his mission in life had 
terminated with his military service, as he was only in the prime 
of life. The social and religious battle of life has always receiv- 
ed his careful attention. His record in the peaceful days of the 
country has been for honesty in politics and for those principles 
that counted most for the ultimate good of a united country. He 
has happily blended with the above his great desire for constancy 
in the religious world, in which he is no small factor. His un- 
tainted military record has ever been but an index of his after life. 



248 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



His statesmanship, his scholarl}; attainments, his religious char- 
acter have ever been wisely and, modestly directed. He is pre- 
eminently a man of the people. His frankness, sincerity, and 
goodness of heart makes him hosts of friends. He is a man "who 
sees in every man a brother, and finds in each a friend." 

His heroism upon the field of battle, his sacrifices in behalf 
of country and flag, together with his priceless character, will be 
bequeathed to a loving and lovable wife and three affectionate 
children when the Supreme Power, the Eternal Commander, shall 
summon him to that country where the rude blasts of war will 
not resound upon his ear. 



II 


mm 





MAJOR E. C. DAWES 
Prior to His Facial Wound. See Page 249. 



r 



MAJOR E. C. DAWES 
Showing Disfigurement. See Page 249. 



1 




MAJOR K. ( . DAWES 
After Nature had Covered His Disfigurement by Whiskers. See Page 249. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 249 



EPHRAIM CUTLER DAWES. 



" His soul rvas gentle^ and the elements so mixed in him 
That Nature might stand up a7id say to all the ivorld : 
Behold a man / " 

Ephraim Cutler Dawes, born on May 27th, 1840, was the 
youngest of six children of Henry and Sarah Cutler Dawes. He 
was descended from good New England stock. His ancestor, 
William Dawes, of Boston, rode with Paul Revere on his " mid- 
night ride," and served as an officer in the Revolutionary Army. 
The Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, eminent in history and distin- 
guished in the annals of science, was his great grand-father. His 
grand-father. Judge Ephraim Cutler, (for whom he was named) 
was prominent in the early history of Ohio tor a long public 
career of great usefulness and honor. As a child and as a vouncr 
man, Ephraim Dawes was much under the personal influence of 
his uncle, William P. Cutler, whose example and instruction in- 
spired him to all that was patriotic and upright in public service 
and noble in private life. He passed through the freshman and 
sophomore years of his college course at the State University of 
Wisconsin, and his junior and senior years at Marietta College, 
from which he was graduated with the class of 18(jl. He was a 
member of the Phi P>eta Kappa Society, and received the degree 
of Master of Arts in course in 1804. His standing as a scholar 
while in college was very high, although he made no special con- 
tention for college honors. As a speaker, he was noted for his 
readiness and humor. 



250 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Upon his graduation he was a't first employed as a civil en- 
gineer by Mr. Cutler, who was then engaged in the construction 
of the Union Railroad. But the war of the Rebellion had broken 
out in April, 1861, and he was very impatient to respond to the 
call that came to the young men from our imperilled country. His 
brother, with whom he was in constant correspondence, was a 
captain in the Army of the Potomac, and he chafed at the delay 
until on September Kkh, 1861, he was appointed First Lieutenant 
and Adjutant of the 53rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was then 
full six feet tall, of a robust frame, and, with his soldierly bearing, 
he was a model of manly grace and strength. Kindly and com- 
panionable, while firm in the discharge of every duty, he was re- 
spected and admired by the men of his regiment, and this feeling 
grew as he showed his qualities of leadership, and his Sravery in 
action under the severe tests of war. 

Meagre details only can be given of a service which extended 
over a period of three years and one month : 

He was with his regiment in the campaign which culminated 
in the bloody battle of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, on April 
6th and 7th, 1862. He was also in the battle at Fallen Timbers 
on April 8th, 1862. He took part in the campaign and siege of 
Corinth, Mississippi. On January 26th, 186.3, he was promoted 
over the captains of the line to be Major of his regiment. With 
this rank he served in the campaign under General Grant, which 
ended in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He 
next took part in General Sherman's advance against Jackson, 
Mississippi. Returning to Memphis, Tennessee, Sherman's corps 
marched from that point to East Tennessee. On December IDth, 
1863, he wrote : " Many of our men were without shoes, and often 
marched over frozen ground with bleeding feet. We have marched 
continuously since leaving Memphis, October 11th." He was in 
the battle of Mission Ridge. In 1864 he was with General Sher- 
man's army in the advance against Atlanta. His regiment par- 
ticipated in the perils and hardships of that arduous campaign, and 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 251 



was very hotly engaged at Resaca, Georgia. On May 28th, in 
action at Dallas, Georgia, Major Dawes received a fearful wound. 

By reason of this wound he was honorably discharged from 
the military service on October 31st,' 18(34. March i;Uh, 18(Jo, 
he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, for gallant and meritorious 
service during the war. His wound most seriously affected his 
whole after life. He once said that he had never known one 
waking moment free from pain. The wonder is not that death 
claimed him at an age when he should have been in the prime of 
vigorous life, but that he had lived for thirty years of the varied 
and exacting activities of mind and body that characterized 
his life. A friend who knew him during these years has 
written : "No one could be in his company without a sense of 
his extraordinary mental and moral gifts, and also without sym- 
pathy for a not entirely suppressed sign of pain." 

On June 20th, 18G6, Major Dawes was married, at Marietta, 
Ohio, to Miss Frances Bosworth, daughter of Sala and Joanna 
Shipman Bosworth. 

Soon after his discharge from the military service, he had 
been appointed to take charge of the terminal station of the Ma- 
rietta & Cincinnati Railroad at Parkersburg, W. Va., and of the 
transfer across the Ohio river. He soon became interested in the 
business of handling and storing freights in Cincinnati. His firm 
occupied the two upper stories of the old Cincinnati, Hamilton 
and Dayton freight depot. ■ His business interests in the city were 
soon enlarged in various ways and he removed to Cincinnati, 
which was afterwards his home. He was engaged in the transfer 
business, and was agent for the Diamond Fast Freight Line. He 
was interested in a coal yard at Ludlow Grove, the coal being de- 
livered by canal boats to their elevator on Central Avenue. 

In 18G7, he became engaged with William P. Cutler and others, 
in extensive railroad construction and operation. The Springfield 
and Illinois Southeastern, the Chester and Tamaroa, and the 



252 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Marion and Carbondale roads in Illinois, and the Logansport, 
Crawfordsville and Sonthwestern road in Indiana, were bnilt and 
operated by them. Major Dawes was the active manager of three 
of these roads. As an executive officer, his best qualities were 
displayed. He was prompt in decision, quick and accurate in cal- 
culation, and had a thorough knowledge of details. He was firm, 
but just with his employes, by whom he was much respected and 
with whom he enjoyed great popularity. 

In 1872, the construction of a railroad in Missouri, called the 
Chester and Iron Mountain, was commenced. This enterprise 
promised highly profitable results, but the panic of 1873 came on. 
This sudden and all-pervading calamity destroyed for a time the 
market for railroad securities on new lines. Major Dawes, after a 
gallant struggle against a hard commercial fate, was finally, in 
1874, forced into the general bankruptcy of the times, and stripped 
of every dollar of property he had accumulated. But he was not 
idle for a day. He became again, in order, a contractor, builder, 
manager and president of different railroads. Another has said of 
him : '• His courage and fortitude never left him, and he took up 
the same character of work again, with the same energy and abil- 
ity." In his later years he became successfully interested in de- 
veloping the coal fields in southern Illinois. He had established a 
large and growing trade with St. Louis and Chicago, and he was 
president of the St. Louis and Big Muddy Coal Company, one of 
the largest mining companies in Illinois. There can be no doubt 
but that his constant devotion to his work and business, with the 
manner of life made necessary, tended to break down his constitu- 
tion, so severely shaken by his wound. 

He died at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 23rd, 1895, 
and on April 26th was buried in Spring Grove cemetery at Ma- 
rietta, Ohio. His resting place is suitably marked by a hand- 
some monument erected to his memory by his loving and lovable 
wife. It bears the following inscription : 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



253 



" MAY 21st, 1840. 
APRIL 23rd, 1895. 

SHILOH, CORINTH, VICKSBURG, JACKSON, 
REvSACA. 
SEVERELY WOUNDED AT DALLAS, 

MAY 23rd, 1864." 

His own words as expressed on the death of Generals Sher- 
man and Hayes, fittingly apply to himself: 

" It is by the lives of such men as these that future genera- 
tions may estimate the priceless treasure committed to their 
charge; for, if liberty is worth what liberty has cost, no words 
may express its value." 




254 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



JAMES R. PERCY. 



Captain James R. Percy was the son of James and Mary 
Percy. He was born at Pike River, in the district of Montreal, 
Canada, East, September, 1 829. With his parents he came to 
Ohio in 1845, and settled in Munson . Township near Fowler's 
Mill, in Geauga county. He worked on his father's farm during 
the summer months, and attended school during the winter, until 
he was about twenty years of age. He attended Professor Thomas 
W. Harvey's school (author of Harvey's grammer) in Chardon, 
several terms ; when he commenced teaching during the winter 
months. The first school he taught was in the Sargent district, 
in the Scioto valley, five miles south of Piketon, Pike county, 
Ohio. Returning home in the spring, he began a course of study 
at the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York. In 1856, return- 
ino- to Ohio late in the fall, he taught a select school in his father's 
district, going back to Troy in the spring. The following au- 
tumn he returned to the Scioto Valley, and taught again in the 
Saro-ent district. The next spring found him back at Troy. He 
was graduated with honors in the year 1859. James R. Percy 
was made an instructor while pursuing his course of engineering 
at the Institute. To be thus honored in his youth, would indicate 
that he was a first class student. To further indicate that his 
ability and manly character were appreciated by his fellow stud- 
ents, in 1874 a stained glass memorial window was placed in the 
Institute Library by his classmates, bearing the inscription of the 
principal engagements in which he took part : "Pittsburg Land- 
ing," "Vicksburg," "Mission Ridge," "Resaca," "Kenesaw 
Mountain," "Atlanta.", One of, Jiis classmates who is now an 
honored officer in the United States army, and one of considerable 




CAPTAIN J. R. PERCY— See Page 254. 




GRAVE OF CAPTAIN PERCY, 

At National Cemetery, Marietta, Ga.— See Page 254. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 255 



rank, stated to the historian that, "he was a kind, conscientious, 
and dilicrent student, liked and respected by all." For the fall 
and winter term of the public schools at Piketon, Ohio in the year 
1855, the services of James R. Percy as superintendent, A. D. 
Downing, now of Chardon, Ohio and Miss Fiske, (afterwards the 
wife of Mr. Dowming) were engaged to teach the three higher 
grades of the school. The writer, then eleven )ears of age, was a 
pupil of Mr. Downing, but was soon promoted to the room of the 
superintendent (Professor Percy.) Here he remained until the 
Professor enlisted in the o^rd O. \'. I. Upon the organization of 
the said regiment, the Professor was elected captain of Company 
"F." Whilst under the tutelage of Professor Percy, as a mis- 
chievous boy, and subsequently as a soldier in his command, little 
did I ever realize, or dream that in forty or forty-five years from 
that period, it would fall to my lot to collect facts, and give to the 
present, and future generations, the personal and military history 
of brave Captain Percy, or that of the history and services of 
the 5.'>rd O. V. V. I., that for four long, weary years kept step to the 
music of the Union, and followed the flag wherever it led. Such 
is the irony of fate. Certainly "God moves in a mysterious way." 

After the surrender of Vicksburg, Captain Percy was made 
the topographical engineer of the brigade, and assigned to the 
command of General William E. Harrow. 

During the Atlanta campaign, Captain Percy was the topo- 
graphical engineer of the first division of the Fifteenth Army 
Corps, and by the order of the commander placed a battery with- 
in a very short distance of the rebel line by what was known as 
sapping. When the battery was placed in position it was protect- 
ed by earth work, so that nothing could be seen of it. The em- 
brasures in the earth work, where the guns were placed when not 
firing, were filled with sand bags, which had to be taken out when 
the battery was in use. After the battery was placed. Captain 
Percy directed the officers to commence firing, but the men hesi- 
tated to remove the sandbags. He got up himself and took them 



256 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

out, and said "now commence firing." He was so much elated at 
the success of the gunners that he unnecessarily exposed himself 
and a sharp shooter killed him instantly. This occured on the 
18th day of August, 1864, on the lines in front of Atlanta. His re- 
mains lie buried in the National Cemetery at Marietta, Ga, Some 
ten or twelve thousand of the brave and loyal boys that wore the 
blue, lie all about him with "Old Glory" proudly floating above 
them. 

A few days subsequent to Major Dawes receiving the terrible 
and dangerous facial wound. Captain Percy wrote him a letter de- 
tailing the bloody conflict of Kenesaw Mountain, closing his in- 
teresting account with the following paragraph: "The first word I 
heard from the regiment was that you were mortally wounded. We 
naturally attach an idea of invulnerability to those with whom we 
have been long intimate. I was overwhelmed with the dreadful 
intelligence. But I prayed to God for you that you might live, 
and I somehow felt that you would survive. You are now at 
home, where dying is happier than living is here." 

We will invite the readers to go back to about the year 1855, 
or perhaps 1856, and let the Captain, in his own words relate a 
strange and wonderful dream. He and one of his assistant teach- 
ers were spending the evening with a lady friend, when Professor 
Percy remarked that he had had a remarkable dream the night be- 
fore, and if they would like to hear it he would relate it. With the 
assurance that they would be glad to hear it, he said: "I was in a 
beautiful southern home. The people around me were refined 
and cultured. All the surroundings were in perfect harmony, and 
I was almost at the door of heaven. A charming young lady 
gave me a welcome greeting (and he then gave an elaborate de- 
scription of the appearance of the young lady,) and conducted me 
to an inner room where she informed me that she had the power of 
telling me truthfully my future destiny, and said, with a smile so 
captivating that if she had desired me to drop dead at her 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 257 



feet. I would have complied at once. 'Soon there will be a great 
conflict in this country. * Great armies will be in the field. Ter- 
rible battles will be fouj^ht, and the loss of life will be appalling. 
You will be drawn into it. You will bear an honorable part, but 
vonr life will [yo oiit in the month of Auernst.' " 

I cannot concede for a moment that the professor was super- 
stitious. He was a man of clear perception, and was of fine edu- 
cation, and a refined gentleman, but this dream clung to him to 
his death. 

In July, 18(J4, just about thirty days prior to his death, he 
wrote to these same parties, who were then married, an interesting 
letter, in which he said : " In a few months I will be at home. 
I shall be delighted to light my pipe at your pleasant fireside, and 
tell you the story of the war, but you know, August is my fatal 
month. I can hardly hope to get through. Whatever comes will 
only be the last act in my destiny, as I told you years ago. The 
first act is past. The second will surely come," Poor fellow ! 
August was his fatal month. 

In the final paragraph of A. D. Downing's letter to the his- 
torian he says ; "The story of Captain Percy's dream was a fact, 
just as I related it, and a very strange circumstance indeed." 

As a pupil and soldier of the command of the deceased, I de- 
sire to offer my final tribute to the memory of one whom I rev- 
erenced almost as a father, respected as a gentleman, a scholar and 
a military hero. 

The foundation of the superstruction of Captain Percy's life 
was character, the apex truthfulness and honesty. Between the 
foundation and the apex were virtue, philanthropy, humanity, 
loyalty, integrity, and all other attributes that go to make up a 
uiajily mmi. A royal prince has fallen, and Captain Percy is gone, 
let us hope, to a valiant soldier's reward. 



258 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



In the corridors of memory I shall often recall his familiar 
voice and pleasant face. 

" Farewell my old friend, kind, noble and brave, 
I leave yon to rest alone in the grave, 
The earth-ties that bound us in years that are past, 
In our life journey here are severed at last." 



mm 
mm 


SI 




MAJOR JAMES C. FOSTER— See Page 25<1. 






LIEUTENANT STAKFOUU McMILLEN. 
See Page 291. 



DAVIU 1>ASLEY. 
See Page 290. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 259 



JAMES C. FOSTER. 



The subject of this sketch was the son of James C. and Jane 
E. Foster, and was born in Franklin Township, Ross county, 
Ohio, May ;3rd, 1842. He was inured to toil on his father's farm, 
and secured an education as liberal as the public and private 
schools of his neighborhood could furnish, together with a course 
in a private military school at Chillicothe, just prior to the war. 

He enlisted as a private in Company F., 53rd O. V. I., Oct- 
ober 17th, 1801. Upon the organization of the company, he 
was made first sergeant. January 1st, 1862, his services and abili- 
ties being recognized he was promoted to second lieutenant, and 
the following September was transferred to Company I. May 1 1th 

1863, the Executive powers of the Nation had decided to call 
into requisition the colored troops,^ and the organization of the 
same was commenced. One among the many efficient officers 
who were detailed in the organization of colored troops was Lieut- 
enant James C. Foster, and upon June 6th, 1863, he was mustered 
as captain of Company A., 59th U. S. C. I. Owing to his mili- 
tary education and his prior experience with the 53rd Ohio, his 
disciplinary power, together with his tact, energy and capacity, 
won him his promotion to major, being commissioned, June 18th, 

1864. His services with said regiment, the 59th U. S. C. 1., are 
graphically detailed in the regimental history of that organization 
testifying to the confidence and the esteem accorded him, as well 
as to his bravery upon many battle-fields. 

During his term of service he commanded the regiment for a 
number of months. At the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Miss., 
June IGth, 1864, Major Foster was placed in charge of the skir- 
mish line and in command of two companies, where they made a 



260 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

heroic figlit until dark. He was also prominent in the engage- 
ment at Ripley, covering the retreat of the shattered and demor- 
alized army. Here he showed not only courage and endurance, 
but pluck and heroism. He was mustered out of the service 
January 6th 1866, Heat once returned to his home, and after a 
term in a commercial college at Cleveland, Ohio, settled down to 
a farmer's life near his birth-place where he still resides. 

He was married September 7th, 1869 to Miss Emma, daugh- 
ter of James and Mary Davis, who died August 2nd, 1872, leaving 
him a daughter, Daisy D., two years old. 

On October 19th, 1875, he again embarked upon the sea of 
matrimony and was married to Miss Mary D., daughter of Joseph 
I., and Jane D. Vause. This union was blessed with seven chil- 
dren, four daughters and three sons, all of whom are living. 

For some three or four years he has intelligently and faith- 
fully served as presiding officer of the 53rd Ohio Regimental As- 
sociation. His continuous service for the years named is a suffi- 
cient indication of his popularity, efficiency and of the confidence 
reposed in him by the comrades of the remnant of the 53rd O. V. 
V. I. 

By virtue of his office he was ex-officio member of the histor- 
ical committee. In that capacity the historian desires to ac- 
knowledge his persistency, his push, pluck, courage, and his con- 
fidence in the ultimate success of the committee in obtaining suf- 
ficient funds to complete the history. 

His confidence in and encouragement of the historian have 
been a source of inspiration, nerving the writer to contribute his 
best ability even though it be meagre, to leave for the present and 
coming generations a fair, honest, and impartial history of one of 
the best, (if not the best) Ohio regiments that sustained the hon- 
ored name of Ohio during the cruel war. 





CAPTAIN ROBERT A. STARKEY. 
See Page 263. 



WILLIAM BRADBURY. 
See Page 261. 




JUDGE BREWSTEK. 
See Page 285. 



ASSISTANT-SURGEON JOHN A. LAIR. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 261 



WILLIAM BRADBURY. 



William liradbury was born at Kyger, Gallia County, Ohio, 
May 1st, 1842. The paternal and maternal ancestors were of New 
England stock and had imbibed liberally of Plymouth patriotism ; 
and " as the father so the son " was verified in the subject of this 
sketch. From each of his parents he had honorable examples of 
piety, integrity, and all other attributes contributing to the mak- 
ing of manhood. William passed his young days on the farm of 
his father, and received such education as the country in which he 
resided afforded. 

In July, 1861, he answered to the drum-beat for recruits, but 
in this venture he was disappointed, as at that time the quota for 
Ohio was full, and the company was disbanded, after several weeks 
of a sojourn in camp. 

On October 29th, 1861, however, the opportunity came again 
and he enlisted with Co. H, o3rd O. V. I. His deportment and 
soldiery bearing were such as to commend him to notice, and on 
January 8th, 1862, he was appointed corporal, which non-commis- 
sioned office he filled to the satisfaction of his company officers, 
and was in time the recipient of further promotion to that of ser- 
geant, in which position he served to the expiration of his enlist- 
ment. He was mustered out November 27th, 1864, having served 
his country three years and twenty-eight days. 

He was with his command and participated in every engage- 
ment from 1861 to November, 1864, and was always ready for du- 
ty, as the following incident fully illustrates : 

While the regiment at the Battle of Resaca was occupying 
Bald Knob, we had strict orders for some reason, not to fire at the 
Johnnies. This silence for awhile upon our part made them quite 



262 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

saucy, and they would walk out of the weeds on the edge of .1 
field about 400 yards distant and take an occasional sight at us. 
Notwithstanding the strict orders not to fire, somebody fired, and 
a rebel was seen to bite the dust. The officer of the day rushed 
around through the regiment trying to ascertain who had fired his 
gun, but it was a case of nobody knowing, but it was rather sup- 
posed to be an accidental discharge. As soon as the excitement 
had subsided somewhat, Bradbury came up to one of the non-com- 
missioned officers of the regiment and offered as an excuse for his 
disobedience of orders, that " the darned fellow just filled my 
sights and I could not keep from pulling the trigger to save my 
life." This non-commissioned officer further asserts that Brad- 
bury was one of the men who was made of the right stuff. 

From 1<S65 to 1891 he was engaged in merchandising. He 
had passed the twenty-seventh milestone on the railway of life be- 
fore he realized the truthfulness of the scriptural injunction, "It is 
not well for man to be alone." It is fair to presume that he was 
fully converted and took unto himself June 2nd, 1869, one of the 
most estimable and lovable women of Athens County, Ohio, Miss 
Louisa B. Smith. As a result of this happy union, God has blessed 
them with six dutiful children, who are today the sunshine of a 
happy and prosperous home. This result is not surprising for the 
heads of the household are possessed of the quintessence of com- 
mon sense, re-inforced by exalted manhood and womanhood. 

At a regimental reunion the historian was presenting the sub- 
ject of the history and suggested that the time had come when ac- 
tion, and not words was necessary. Mrs. Bradbury with her loy- 
alty to the comrades of the 53rd Ohio was among the very first to 
say : " I will give $10.00, and here it is." 

Comrade Bradbuiy resides upon the farm on which he was 
born. His postoffice is Kyger, Gallia County, Ohio. He has been 
efficiently serving the Regimental Association as secretary for the 
past three to five years. He is an honored member of the Histor- 
ical Committee and has been a source of inspiiation to the writer. 
May God bless the comrade and his good wife, is our prayer. 



03rD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 2G3 



ROBERT A. STARKEY. 



Ill the early part of the present century, the parents of this 
sketch resided in Old Virginia. Their home was but a short dis- 
tance from the famous spot where General Lee surrendered to 
General U. S. Grant. Their son, Robert, was born upon the soil 
of Ohio, at or near Portsmouth, Scioto County, March 23rd, 1836, 
after the parents had emigrated westward. A few years later his 
parents moved to Pike County, near Jasper, Ohio, where the early 
life of Robert Starkey was spent in work and study in the public 
schools. He did not enjoy the educational advantages which 
many of the youth of to-day have, that of college training. The 
ancestral blood and pioneer stock had transmitted to him a good 
constitution, common sense, pluck and self-reliance, which have 
been so essential in his more mature years ; these qualifications 
were the stepping stones to that success which all through life has 
resulted from the efforts of Robert A. Starkey. 

In early life he clerked in a general village store, and his pro- 
motions were gradual. Prior to the war he led in clerical 
ability and was known far and wide in his section " as the genial 
and accommodating Bob Starkey." 

During the fall of l.SOl he, like hundreds of thousands of the 
young men of our country, fell a victim to the contagion known 
as the " war fever," This fever made such encroachments that he 
surrendered to the malady and answered the call of Feather Abra- 
ham, receiving his commission as first lieutenant, October 4th, 
ISIJl. 

He and Wells S. Jones, a physician and friend, joined issues 
and together they recruited what has since passed into history and 
been known as Co. A, of the 53rd O. V. V. I. 



264 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Lieutenant Starkey soon developed the fact that at least a 
portion of the Virginia military spirit was coursing in his veins, 
and that if ill-health did not interpose he would be a noted discip- 
linarian ; but, notwithstanding the enforcement of discipline, he 
gained the respect and confidence of his command and of his su- 
perior officers, who soon learned that he was a man who could be 
depended upon in any emergency. He left Ohio with his com- 
mand February, 1862, and experienced his first shock of battle at 
Shiloh, April 6th and 7th. 

The commander of his company. Captain Wells S. Jones, was 
promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment for his bravery, coolness 
and military ability ; and Lieutenant Starkey, being the ranking 
officer of Co. A, was elevated to the captaincy, and not wholly be- 
cause of rank, but also for bravery displayed upon the field of 
battle. 

During the year 1863 Captain Starkey was serving upon spec- 
ial detail as 'mounted infantry and was largely. instrumental in re- 
cruiting the 2nd Tennessee U. S. Colored Infantry. On the or- 
ganization of said regiment he was tendered the position of lieu- 
tenant-colonel, but declined, preferring to remain in command of 
the brave boys he had enlisted. During the same year he was 
again tendered a promotion, that of brigade quartermaster. This 
he also declined, for the reasons above stated. 

Captain Starkey participated in all of the skirmishes and 
battles in which the regiment was engaged up to and including 
January 1st, 1864. the time of veteranizing. 

If space permitted it would be a pleasure to recount the many 
instances of heroism which could be related of Captain Starkey, 
but suffice it to say that he was one of the bravest and best officers 
in his regiment. He was a skillful drill master, a good disciplin- 
arian, and had no superior as a commander in battle ; he was 
brave, cool, and far seeing. His services were of great value to 
his company and regiment. 









LIEUTENANT WM. H. 8TKPHENSON. 
See Page 293. 



CAPTAIN C. K. CRUMIT. 
See Page 278. 




ff^m 



m 



\B 




LIEUTENANT GEORGE W. (AVITT. 
See Pdse 23T. 



r APTAIN .JACOB W. DAVIS. 
See Page 2tiri. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



265 



Arduous duties and vio^orous campaignino liad made inroads 
to such an extent on his physical system that Captain St-arkey was 
compelled to tender his resignation May 1st, 1<S()4, He returned 
to his home at Jasper, Ohio, remaining about one year. By that 
time the captain had recuperated to a limited extent and his rest- 
less spirit again asserted itself, and we next find him in the city of 
Portsmouth, Ohio, engaged in a wholesale boot and shoe house, 
known as Hibbs, Richardson and Company. The firm did a pros- 
perous business and the captain formed business alliances and 
friendships which he will carry to the end of life. After about 
ten years the co-partnership was dissolved, and Captain Starkey in 
1876 moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, continuing in the shoe business. 

Here, for the first time in his life he made a complete surren- 
der. His surrender was to the lovable and loving Miss Alice 
Wilkinson of London, England. The solemnization of this mar- 
riage occurred on January 5th, 1880. In 1882 he and his good 
lady located in the city ot Springfield, Ohio, where the captain 
opened one of the finest retail stores in central Ohio, and where 
he has built up a lucrative and profitable business, and where it is 
fair to presume he will continue until the bugle blast shall sum- 
mon him beyond the battlements of Heaven. 



li 


mm 



266 HISTORICAI. SKETCH OF THE 



CAPTAIN JACOB W. DAVIS. 



" There is no fireside Iwwso'er defended^ 
But lias one vacant c hairy 

The subject of this sketch, Jacob W. Davis, was born in Fay- 
ette County, Pennsylvania, January 1st, 1833. His parents emi- 
grated to Ohio when he was four years of age. He received a 
common school education at Wheelersburg, Scioto County, Ohio, 
where his parents resided. During his boyhood days he exhibited 
those traits of character that led his family to know that the bent 
of his mind was navigation. When he reached a suitable age he 
took to the river, and in his early life boating on the Ohio River 
was profitable, and had but a limited railroad competition. By his 
industry, good habits, and desire to serve well in any position he 
was placed, he soon found himself in line of promotion. He was 
promoted from one step to another until he was finally considered 
one among the best and most trusted pilots to be found anywhere 
on the Ohio River, He took first rank and position and was em- 
ployed in what was then and is now known as the Pittsburg and 
Cincinnati trade. His habits of sobriety and economy soon 
brought to him a competency, and every investment made was 
seemingly a financial success. His success was not luck, it was 
attributable to business sagacity, honesty and conservatism, 

J. W. Davis was married at the age of twenty-three to Miss 
Rosa M. Smith, May 22nd, 1853, This union was blessed with 
five children ; three of whom are, it is to be hoped, in fellowship with 
the Father, all "safe in the arms of Jesus," Two children, a son 
and a daughter, still survive and reside near the most devoted of 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



267 



mothers, who remains to shed a halo of kindness and love not only 
upon her own children, but upon all with whom she comes in con- 
tact. 

November Gth, 18(31, Davis was commissioned as first lieutenant 
and assigned to Co. C, which company he largely recruited. For 
meritorious services he was promoted to a captaincy, July 8th, 
1S02, and still retained in command of Co. C. Captain Davis was 
a fine disciplinarian and the idol of his command. He was brave 
to a fault, and was always found at the head of his company when 
duty called. Shirking was not a part of his nature. 

He fell mortally wounded on the skirmish line at the head of 
his company, immediately in front of his regiment. It was some 
fourteen months after his death before his devoted widow secured 
his remains for interment at his old home, Wheelersburg, Ohio. 

When General Jones, who was the commanding officer of the 
regiment, was asked his opinion of Captain Davis, he replied : 
" Captain Davis, who lost his life before Atlanta, was a faithful, 
brave man, and no better officer could be found in this or any oth- 
er reofiment. The reg^iment lo.st much in his death. Too much 
cannot be said in praise of his faithful services." 



if 


II 



268 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



PRESTON RAINEY GALLOWAY. 



Colonel Galloway was born in Butler County, near Hamilton, 
Ohio, December 29th, 1825. His early life was spent in the rural 
districts, from which sprang so many of the gallant soldiers of 
1861 to 1865, and few made more notable records than Galloway, 
as was proved by subsequent events. 

At the age of 23 he was captivated to such an extent by the 
beautiful Miss Clarissa N. Wetzel that they were united in the 
holy bonds of wedlock, March 7th, 1848. The youthful couple 
soon realized that marriage and home were inseparable ; hence 
they worked in earnest for the establishment of a home. They 
remained in Butler county, Ohio, until September 1855, when 
they emigrated to Union City, Indiana, where through God's 
grace and kindness this happy couple still reside at the advanced 
age of 74 to 75. 

When the bugle blast of civil war was sounded Preston R. 
Galloway was among the first to respond. He was commissioned 
as first lieutenant in the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, April 23rd, 
1861, and saw service in West Virginia under the leadership of 
Generals McClellan and Rosecrans. 

August 1861, Governor Dennison, of Ohio, commissioned 
Lieutenant Galloway as captain with instruction to recruit a com- 
pany for the three years service. Such was Captain Galloway's 
reputation and popularity, both socially and in a military way, that 
in a few days he had completed his task and was assigned to the 
52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

At this time several regiments were being organized in the 
state. The demands at the front were such that the Governor de- 





FRANK SMITH. 
See Page 292. 



LTEIITENANT .J. \V. FULTON. 
.See Page 271. 




k. 



^-cf' 




LIEU'T-COL. P. R. GALLOWAY. 
See Page 26S. 



LIEU'T-COL. P. R. (iALLOWAY. 
At Age 74. See Page 268, 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 269 



cidcd to consolidate some of the regiments, and tlie o2nd as snch 
was disbanded. Captain Galloway's company was assigned to the 
ry.lrd Ohio then in camp at Jackson, Ohio. This company com- 
])leted tlie regimental organization. His company was assigned 
to the left wing of the regiment and was known as Com pan \ K, 
while the regimental organization was in service. 

Captain Gallowa> was an entire stranger in our command, 
bnt bv his soldierly condnct and conrteous treatment of all with 
whom he came in contact soon endeared him to one and all, bnt 
not until he was placed under the fire of our enemy's guns did his 
real worth and ([ualifications become the admiration of the officers 
and men. 

Those in command soon learned that he was a tried and true 
soldier and that if a particularly difHcult task had to be performed 
there was none more brave or efficient for the execution of any 
hazardous undertaking, could be assigned than Captain Galloway. 
His was not the dare devil spirit of bravado, but that stolid pluck 
shown by actions, not words. He never ordered his boys to go, 
but while he did not say so in so many words, yet it was plain to 
infer, "I lead, you follow." 

During the closing year of the war Captain Galloway was 
promoted first to major and subsequently to lieutenant-colonel, 
and had command of the regiment on Sherman's famous 
march to the sea. His brigade commander. General Jones, in con- 
versing with the historian had this to say of him: — "Captain Gal- 
loway, who became Colonel Galloway, was the last commander of 
the 5;3rd Ohio and was one of its best officers. He served with 
the regiment from its organization in 18()1 to its muster out in 
1,S(>"). During all that time he was rarely if ever unfit for duty, or 
at least he always reported for duty and did with alacrity whatever 
was assigned him to do. He was a brave good officer and did 
much toward helping to make a good name for the regiment." 

The author simply adds that notwithstanding the infirmities 
of age. Colonel Galloway did much to assist him by manuscript and 



270 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



encouragement, which is here duly and gratefully acknowledged. 
He made no statement that was not susceptible of verification. 
His enthusiasm knew no bounds, as he was interested in having a 
complete history of what he called "the best regiment that ever 
shot a gun in defense of country." 

May the Great Commander grant many years yet to the 
brave, gallant Colonel and his aged companion, is the prayer of 
the writer. 



11 


il 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 271 



JOSKriI WARREN FULTON. 



Dr. Fulton was born in Schenectady, N. Y., October 2r)th, 
IS 10. His father moved to Ohio and lived in Cleveland during 
the war of 1812, and afterwards moved to Athens County. He 
studied medicine and was graduated from the Jefferson INIedical 
College in Philadelphia, and commenced the practice of medicine 
during the cholera epidemic of 1832 in Fairfield County. After 
practicing fourteen years, he gave it up for mercantile pursuits, 
and for several years conducted large coal works at Nelsonville. 
Selling out in 1859 he moved to Greenup County, Ky. When the 
war came on he conceived the idea that a regiment recruited from the 
miners and other skilled workmen with whom he was acquainted in 
the Hocking Valley, would be valuable as a pioneer corps. He went 
to Columbus and laid his plans before Governor Dennison, who 
approved them and authorized him to raise a regiment. On visit- 
ing the Hocking Valley he found that a regiment had been re- 
cruited there and the men he wanted had joined it, so he gave up 
the idea and went home. After arriving home several business 
men of Portsmouth, urged him to help raise a regiment there, 
which he did, the 53rd O. V. I. Governor Dennison sent him a 
commission as colonel, but he returned it, saying he was too old to 
learn military tactics, and recommended that a younger man be 
appointed colonel who would be better fitted to handle the regi- 
ment, at the same time offering to go in any capacity where he 
could do the most good. He thought he could handle transporta- 
tion and was given a commission as lieutenant and regimental 
quartermaster. 

At the battle of Shiloh he heard the first firing, and being ap- 
prehensive of an attack, he mounted his horse and rode to the 



272 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



front and saw the first men that were engaged. From them he 
learned that it was an attack in force, which fact he immediately 
reported to his brigade commander. He then got his wagon train 
ready and moved it to a point of safety, losing only one wagon, 
the team of which became nnmanageable nnder fire and ran away. 
He then made himself usefnl wherever he conld, carrying orders, 
rallying men, and taking them back to the line of battle, or any- 
thing else he conld find to do. In the afternoon General Buell 
sent for him at the landing and asked him if he could clear a road 
up the bank so that Amann's brigade could land. The landing 
was congested with wagons and stragglers so that it was almost im- 
possible to get around but he soon cleared a road and the brigade was 
landed and went at once into the battle. In his article in the 
Century Magazine, General Buell mentions this and says he prob- 
ably did as much as any one man there to make the battle a suc- 
cess. He served with the army till the spring of 18(33. The win- 
ter of 1862 and spring of 1863 were very wet and the army trying 
to o-ain a foothold around Vicksburg almost lived in the water. 
This affected his health so that he resigned and came home. 

The State of Ohio throughout the war period numbered its 
loyal citizens by the tens of thousands, but of all of our patriotic 
citizens none perhaps were more intensely loyal than Dr. J. W. 
Fulton. He had passed the half century mark, hence it can be 
confidently asserted that he was acting advisedly and not impul- 
sively in every movement. He was a man of few words, but 
every action voiced patriotism with the ultimate desire that the 
Union must and would be preserved. He was not content with 
his own services alone, but had one of his sons, and a nephew in 
the 53rd Ohio, and a brother, who held the position of Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel. 

Quartermaster Fulton had prior to the war been successful 
in his profession and business pursuits, and he had to all intents 
and purposes been a student of the writings of St. Paul and was 
impressed with the exhortation, "faith without works is dead ;" at 




COLONEL GEORGE N. GRAY. 
See Prgc 2;;?. 



t 




*«<L 





CAPTAIN DAVID BURCHFIELD. 
See Page 277. 



CAPTAIN DAVID H. LASLEY, 
Sec Page 273. 



53rd OHIO VOI.UNTEER INFANTRY. 273 



any rate, of his accumulated wealth he lavished upon the orj^an- 
ization of the 53rd Ohio regiment several thousand dollars. As he 
often expressed it, the government needed it more than he did. 
He was not a man to ask for any re-imbursements from the gov- 
ernment ; and as he lived to see the results and to witness the 
magnificent work of the creation of his hand, how his patriotic 
heart must have glowed when he realized that no regiment of 
Ohio troops endured more hardships, participated in more battles 
and skirmishes, covered more territory in marches, or suffered 
greater losses than did the Fifty-third. 

^- -:!:- iff -:!r- 
DAVID HOWARD LASLEY. 



Captain Lasley was born in Meigs County, Ohio, January 1st, 
1,S34. His father dying in 1839, he was left to grow up on a 
farm. Being the youngest of six brothers, he lived most of the 
time with his oldest brother, Matthew Lasley, in Gallia County, 
working on a farm in the summer and attending school in the 
winter. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, 
Ohio, in the fall of 1849, in the 15th year of his age, where he re- 
mained engaged at hard study until the close of the college year 
in 1853, at which time he returned to his home in Gallia County, 
where he engaged in teaching in that county and at West Colum- 
bia, Va. In the spring of 1857, he was married to the oldest 
daughter of the late Judge William Ledlie, bought a farm 
and settled down to farming in the summer, and teaching school 
and reading law in the winter. 

i\fter the fall of Fort Sumpter, he at once began to shape his 
business so that he could enter the army. Early in the spring of 
18G1 he raised and commanded a home guard company. In October, 
1861, he received a second lieutenant's commission from Govern- 
or Dennison to raise and organize a company for active service, 



274 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



and was assigned to the 53rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On reach- 
ino- his reo-inient with his company, he was unanimously elect- 
ed its captain and received his commission. He served with his 
regiment, in constant command of his company, H, until the fall 
of 1862. He was detailed as acting assistant adjutant-general of 
the brigade to which his regiment belonged. He served on the 
staff of the brigade commander until the fall of 1863, at which 
time he was detailed on the staff of General Hugh B. Ewing, who 
was in command of the 4th Division of the 15th Army Corps. In 
the winter of 1863-64, General Ewing being relieved by General 
William Harrow, Captain Lasley was retained on the staff of 
Harrow until September, 1864, at which time the four divisions 
of the 15th Army Corps were consolidated into three, the 4th, 
commanded by General Harrow, being distributed among the other 
three divisions, and Captain Lasley returned to his regiment, 
which had been transferred early in the spring of 1864 to the Sec- 
ond Division. On his return to his regiment, all the officers of 
the regiment who were his seniors in rank having been dis- 
charged or being absent from their commands, he was directed by 
Colonel, afterward General, Wells S. Jones, who was commanding 
the brigade, to take command of the regiment, which he did, and 
commanded it on Sherman's famous march to the sea. 

Being in poor health and suffering from wounds in the left 
shoulder and left breast, he asked to be discharged, and was mus- 
tered out of the army at Savanah, Ga., on the 28th day of Decem- 
ber, 1864. 

Captain Lasley was never absent during his entire term of 
service from any position to which he had been assigned while 
the command was actively engaged. He was thoroughly impress- 
ed with the duties and responsibilities of his position. His power 
of endurance was wonderful. When occasion required, he could 
perform the longest and most fatiguing marches without com- 
plaint ; whatever was the soldier's bed, was his, and whatever was 
the soldier's fare, was also his. After he was discharged from the 




CAPTAIN JOSHIA K. BAILEY. 



CAPTAIN 11. K. I'HILLIPrf. 




LIEUTENANT B. UOICE. LIEUTENANT WILLIAM WAKKELL. 



OoRD OHIO VOIvUNTKlCR INFANTRY. 275 

army at Savannah, Ga., he called on General Sherman to bid 
him g-ood-by, and said to him, he hoped he, vSherman, wonld un- 
derstand the reason why he had asked to be discharged ; General 
Sherman replied, "Captain, I know yon too well to suspect your 
motives." 

Captain Lasley vvas wounded by a grape-shot hitting him a 
glancing lick on the left shoulder while he was advancing with 
the skirmish lines of the 4th Division on the 13th day of Mav, 1SG4, 
in front of Resaca, Ga., which knocked him off of his horse, but 
only laid him up for a few days, though it finally caused the loss of 
the use of that arm. He was afterwards wounded on the 3rd day 
of August, 18()4, by a rifle ball, in the left breast, while he was ad- 
vancing the lines of the 4th Division in front of or near Atlanta, 
(ki. But he remained at division headquarters till able to do 
dutv in the field again. 

After being discharged from the army he returned to Ohio, 
took up his reading of law and was admitted to the practice in 
a few months at Pomeroy, Ohio, where he then lived. In 1868 
he was elected treasurer of Meigs County, and re-elected in 1870, 
serving four years. At the expiration of which time he returned 
to the practice of the law. In 1879 he moved his family to Dela- 
ware, Ohio, where his two oldest children were in college, and 
himself opened an office and began the practice of his profession in 
Columbus, Ohio, where he now lives and is still so engaged. 



EUSTACE HALE BALL. 



Eustace Hale Ball was born in Haverhill, Mass., April 23rd, 
1840. His mother was a Hale, hence he is of good ancestral 
blood. 

Soon after the first disaster of Bull Run, Eustace Ball made 
application to the Governor of Ohio for a commission to recruit a 



276 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



company. In a very short space of time he was ready to join the 
53rd Ohio Regiment at Jackson with a full company. Although 
he could, and by rights should, have been made captain of the 
company, he was willing for the sake of harmony to accede to the 
promotion of another for that position, he reserving for himself 
the position of first lieutenant. He was with his regiment and 
participated in all of the battles of the regiment, up to the time of 
his discharge and muster-out. 

At the famous battle of Shiloh when the skirmish firin^y be- 
gan to rattle near our line. General Sherman and staff, mounted, 
came to the front. They stopped immediately in front of Lieu- 
tenant Ball's company, (E), and the general looked through his 
field-glasses at a portion of infantry crossing the open field to form 
a prolongation of the line of the regiment. The rebel skirmishers, 
coming out of the thicket that fringed the bank of the little stream 
which flowed in front of the camp, saw this group of mounted of- 
ficers and leveled their guns at them. Lieutenant Ball saw them 
and cried out, saying : "General, look to your right." Sherman 
turned in his saddle and saw the magnificent line of Hardee's 
Corps, threw up his hands and said, " My God, we are attacked." 
He put spurs to his horse and with his staff galloped back to the 
rest of his command, with one riderless horse careering over the 
field, as the bullet aimed at him killed one of his orderlies, 
(Holliday). It is generally presumed, and fairly so, that Captain 
Ball saved the life of General Sherman. He served as lieutenant 
of his company one year, when his services were appreciated, and 
he was called to higher duties as an aide-de-camp on the staff of 
General J. R. Cockerill, who commanded the brigade. He was 
promoted to a captaincy in the winter of 1*863. One of his super- 
ior officers, who of all his comrades knew him best, said of him : 
" Ball was the perfection of a staff officer. In line of duty he 
knew no fear, recognized no impossibility, assumed every neces- 
sary responsibility and needed no rest." 

Captain Ball died at his home in Portsmouth, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 15th, 1894, and his remains were buried in Greenlawn Ceme- 
tery in that city. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 277 



DAVID M. P.URCHFIKLI). 



David M. Burchfield, the subject of this sketch, was born 
near CarrolUon, Carroll county, Ohio, January 10th, 18 43. He 
resided on a farm. The opportunities within his reach for ednca- 
tini; himself were such as were afforded by good district or public 
schools. 

The war fever struck him in the early part of the war, and 
he enlisted at Camp Diamond, near Jackson, Ohio, with the o.'Jrd 
Ohio, August 10th, 18(51, and was mustered into the service No- 
vember oth, ISin, as fourth sergeant of Company B. Some 
months subsequently, owing to his indefatigable energy and val- 
orous services, he was promoted, June, 181)2, to first sergeant. 

He was apparently not satisfied with his first enlistment and 
was ready and w'illing to re-enlist as a veteran volunteer, when 
that opportunity was presented at Scottsboro, January 1st, 18(j4. 
Owing to his services he was promoted to be first lieutenant of 
Company G, October 12th, 1864, and was thereupon detailed as an 
aide-de-camp on the staff of Major-General W. B. Hazen, command- 
ing the 2nd Brigade, loth Army Corps. His efficiency as a. staff 
officer was recognized by all with whom he came in contact, and 
on acount of meritorious conduct he was promoted to a captaincy 
and assigned to Company I, April 26th, 1865. But the keen and 
appreciative eye and judgment of Brigadier-General Wells S. 
Jones, commanding the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division, was look- 
ing for just such a man as Captain Burchfield, and he was detailed 
as Assistant Inspector-General on General Jones' staff. 

With his regiment and command, either as a commanding of- 
ficer or as an aide-de-camp he participated in all the battles that 
the regiment was engaged in. It is needless to enumerate, it is 
only necessary to state that he saw his first drenching of blood at 
Shiloh, April Uth and 7th, 18(j2, and was in every engagement 
thereafter, down to the close of the war, to Bentonville, North 
Carolina, in April 1865. 



278 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

He was honorably discharged with his regiment at Little 
Rock, Arkansas, August 1865. 

On his return home he re-entered Miller's Seminary for a 
period of one year, after which he taught a district school near 
Stewart, Ohio. He engaged in general merchandising July 18(i<J, 
at Guysville, Ohio. He removed to Athens, Ohio, in 1882, where 
he now resides. He was engaged in the grocery business until 
1893. 

He is an honored member of Post No. 89, G. A. R., and serv- 
ed as Assistant Adjutant-General of the Department of Ohio, June 
14, 1895. He has carried into civil life the courage and manhood 
displayed upon the field of glory. One of those who knew best 
how to estimate his military career says ; "He was an intelligent, 
faithful officer. Always ready to perform any duty assigned him ; 
ready to go anywhere with orders, in camp or battle. He was a 
brave, o-ood officer and his services are a credit to himself and 
his family." 

-:^ ^ ^ -^ 

CHARLES K. CRUMIT. 



The subject of this sketch was born September 18th, 1826,' 
at Richmondale, Ross County, Ohio, and received a common 
school education in his native village, but later on was a student 
at the Ohio Wesleyan University, but did not remain for gradua- 
tion. After leaving the university he took up the study of medi- 
cine under a private tutor, and when sufficiently qualified entered 
the Starling Medical College. He graduated with high honor and 
at once entered upon a successful career as a practitioner. His 
practice was in Vinton and Jackson Counties, Ohio. But few 
o-entlemen are so naturally endowed with those qualifications of 
heart and mind that enable them to combine such courtesy, kind- 
ness, charity, and benign graciousness as were exemplified in the 
life work of Captain Crumit. 



o.'lRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 279 



October 14th, 1801, he received his commission as Lieuten- 
ant for recruitincr purposes, and at once set about recruiting a 
company. He succeeded in recruitin^r thirty men in all, and 
united them with those recruited by the Rev. Thomas Mclntyre, 
and thus formed a company of 100 men. When the company 
oro-anization was effected he was elected as first lieutenant of Co. 
F, o-'hd O W I. In this position he served creditably and well 
and was loved by all his command. When the death of Captain 
Messenger, of Co. D, occurred he was promoted to a captaincy 
and transferred to that company. In this rank and company he 
was a power. The captain was present and ready for duty at every 
battle of the regiment, up to and including the Jonesboro fight. At 
this time he was having his first sickness. When we were making 
the march to the sea the captain was at home in Ohio sick, and on 
account of disabilities was not returned to his command, but was 
mustered out of the service at Columbus, Ohio, December 31st, 
1864. 

On two occasions his professional services were required, aside 
from his military duties, once at Paducah, Kentucky, and again at 
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., but surgery was not to his taste. He 
had volunteered to fight and always rejoiced to be relieved of such 
details, and returned to the command of his boys, whom he had 
learned to idolize. 

At one of the engagements in the Atlanta campaign, just af- 
ter a charge, and when the converging lines were slowly drawing 
nearer to each other, one of our regiment was lying between the 
lines severely wounded, calling for help. Captain Crumit believ- 
ing it to be one of his company said to Colonel Jones, " I am go- 
ing to that boy's assistance." The colonel protested and said : 
" Captain, you will be killed. My advice is, do not sacrifice your 
life." But the captain went. He was miraculously protected and 
came into our lines, bearing his wounded burden, and received the 
enthusiastic congratulations of his officers and friends. 



280 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

General Jones makes the following estimate of the services 
of Captain Crumit: — "He was one of the oldest officers in the reg- 
iment, but was always or nearly always ready for duty. While 
he understood the management of the company and the drill 
very well, Crumit showed best in battle. He was a man of un- 
daunted courage, and coolness under fire. I doubt whether a 
more fearless man belonged to the e53rd Regiment than Charles K. 
Crumit. His example did much to inspire those around him with 
courage and confidence. His services to the regiment and to his 
country were most faithful. His qualifications and ability were 
otherwise recognized as he served on court martials at La Grange, 
Tennessee, and Eastpoint, Georgia, and was the Judge Advocate 
of one or both courts." 

After the discharge of the captain he resumed the practice of 
medicine at Jackson, and has continued it to the present writing, 
covering a period of 44 years. 

The subject of this sketch is nearing his 74th milestone, and 
was 35 years of age when he enteied the army. He is now suffer- 
ing from the infirmities of age, but not without hope, as he is 
leaning upon the strong arm of Jesus. He realizes that he has 
but few more days on earth, but he said to the writer, "the mem- 
ories of friends of the war period are the brightest and best of all 
my past life, and I hope and believe that the parting here will 
not be final, but we shall meet and know each other there." 

isr ijj JjJ ;^ 

GEORGE N. GRAY. 



Colonel George N. Gray was born in Western Pennsylvania, 
February 10th, 1838. In the spring of 1857 he came to Ohio and 
engaged in school teaching in Lawrence county, near Ironton, 
Ohio. Some two years later he returned to his native State and 
entered college, but soon thereafter the war's alarm resounded 



53rd OHIO voluntep:r infantry. 281 



throughout the hind, and George N. Gray was soon possessed of the 
patriotic fever, and in connection with his fellow students at 
Waynesburg College organized a company. Gray was elected 
first lieutenant of the company. After remaining in camp 
for some time, their services were not accepted, and the 
boys scattered out ; young Gray to his books at college until the 
close of the college year, when he again had the Ohio fever and 
returned to Lawrence county, intending to teach during the win- 
ter and enlist in the spring. The war spirit was at a highpitch 
in the fall and winter of 18GI and our subject still possessed of the 
military spirit, dismissed his school and made a forced march of 
40 miles across the country to Jackson, Ohio, where theo^rd Ohio 
was organizing. He enlisted with this regiment, November 19th, 
1S()1, as a private in Co. D. At the organization he was made 
first sergeant. By his manliness and martial spirit he commended 
himself to the regimental officers and December 5th, 18(31, was 
promoted to be sergeant major of the regiment. His general ef- 
ficiency, courageous conduct, and gentlemanly demeanor com- 
mended him for further promotion, so upon January 9th, 18G2, 
he was commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to Company 
I. 

At the battle of Shiloh he received a wound in the leg that 
disabled him for active duty for some months. In the spring of 
1862 a signal corps was formed by detaching fifty-six lieutenants 
and 112 enlisted men, Lieutenant Gray was one ot the officers 
honored by assignment. 

When he had mastered the details of the signal code he was 
assigned to the Missi.ssippi flotilla, commanded by Commodore 
Foote. The first smell of gunpowder by Lieutenant Gray in the 
navy was June 6th, 1862, at Memphis. The Confederate fleet had 
assembled there and they contended bravely for the mastery of the 
Mississippi River, but in a short and terrific fight of only about 
fifty-five minutes the Confederate fleet was destroyed, save one ves- 



282 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

♦ 

sel, and the city of Memphis was in the full possession of Union 
troops. The fleet then proceeded to the relief of General Curtis in 
Arkansas. 

June 17th, 18(32, the fleet at the bluffs of St. Charles encount- 
ered a strong fort and siege guns. In the attack our fleet was pun- 
ished severely, suffering the loss of the Mound City and Iron Clad, 
killing some seventy men. In this engagement Lieutenant Gray and 
two flagmen were captured, but subsequently escaped and led the 
way for the 49th Indiana to attack the fort in the rear ; and the 
Confederate forces, some 600 strong with their guns, were captured. 
The commander of this fort was Colonel Fry. He was severely 
wounded. In subsequent years this same Colonel Fry was the 
commander of the steamer " Virginius," and conducted a filibuster- 
ing expedition to Cuba and was captured and shot under the walls 
of Santiago. 

The campaign through which Lieutenant Gray had passed 
had its effect, making him almost a physicial wreck. He return- 
ed to his regiment, but soon thereafter was discharged. During 
the winter of 1863 he had so far recovered that he organized a 
company of Ohio National Guard and was chosen captain. In 
the last call for troops he was commissioned colonel of the regi- 
ment, but the war was so near a conclusion that they had no op- 
portunity to leave Ohio. 

Colonel Gray has lived at fronton, Ohio, since the war and is 
one of its noted, prosperous, successful, philanthropic business 
characters. Colonel Gray has made his impress in the political, 
social, and commercial world. To know him is but to respect 
him. 

He was happily married to Eliza Ann Humphreys, December 
26th, 1856. As a result of this union three sons and one daughter 
bless his home. " As the father so the sons " was exemplified 
in Colonel Gray's boys, as all of his sons saw military service in 
the Spanish-American war. One, Captain Charles Sedgwick 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTKKR INFANTRY. 2<S3 



Gray, of the United States Navy, surrendered his yonncr life in 
defense of humanity and the flag, fallino; a victim to the dread 
disease of typhoid fever, dying in Garfield Hospital, Washington, 
I). C, September :ird, 1.S98. 

In honor of his memory Colonel (rray and family donated 
to the city of fronton, Ohio, a half square together with the build- 
ings, to be known as the Charles S. Gray Deaconess' Hospital. 



JAMES D. ROBERTS. 



Lieutenant J. D. Roberts, the drummer boy, was born upon a 
farm in Ross county, Ohio, November 8th, 1844. At the age of 
nine years, his parents moved to Jackson, Jackson county, Ohio. 
Here in the public schools he laid the foundation for the super- 
structure of future years, manhood. 

When "Father Abraham," called for three months, volunteers 
to put down the rebellion (?) in the spring of 18()1, James I). Rob- 
erts, then a boy of seventeen enlisted in the 18th O. \'. I. as a 
drummer boy. He served out his term of enlistment and received 
an honorable discharge, August 28th, 18()1. The four and one half 
months he had served Uncle Sam had simply whetted his appe- 
tite for patriotism and soldier duty, and he had not long to wait, 
for it was soon apparent that the war was not a "breakfast spell," 
and more men were needed for the field. 

Soon the 53rd Ohio began to rendezvous at Camp Diamond, 
Jackson, Ohio, and James D. Roberts caught the contagion known 
as the "war fever" and again enlisted, this time with Co. H, 53rd 
Ohio, October 28th, 180 1, as a drummer boy. 

He was blessed with a fine physique and was never sick a 
day while in the service, and hence was one of the few men of the 
53rd who could make such a statement truthfully, and what is 



284 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

more he was never excused from duty, and was in every engage- 
ment with the regiment throughout the four years. When the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans at Scottsboro, December, 18G3, 
Comrade Roberts was among the number who said, "here am I, 
take me." Uncle Sam took and was glad to get such a laddie, for 
at about this period of the war the Nation realized that if the 
rebellion was to be put down, it must to a large extent rely upon 
the youth from 17 to 2o years of age to perform the task. 

Soon after his re-enlistment, the Captain of Company H ap- 
preciating his services as drummer boy called him to higher duties, 
and he was duly appointed sergeant. About May, 1864 the regi- 
mental officers had taken some notice of Sergeant Roberts and 
deemed him worthy of further promotion and he was made ser- 
geant-major of the regiment. While serving in this capacity, on 
the 28th of July, 1864, he grasped the colors from the color- 
bearer and with a small squad of men, headed by the lamented 
First Lieutenant James H. Boice, of Company F, rushed forward 
and planted them upon the brow of the hill amidst a storm of bul- 
lets and shells and staid with them until the enemy withdrew 
from the field. At, or about, the time of his recognition as 
sergeant-major he was recommended and endorsed to the Gover- 
nor of Ohio for a first lieutenant. He served in the capacity of 
adjutant of the regiment during most of the time of the fam- 
ous March to the Sea. He received his commission as first lieu- 
tenant April, 1865, and was mustered as adjutant. He seemingly 
had not yet reached the zenith of his power, for Brigadier-General 
Jones (formerly Colonel Jones of the 53rd) was wanting an active, 
fearless young man as an aide-de-camp upon his staff, and Lieuten- 
ant Roberts received that appointment, and filled the position with 
satisfaction to his superior officers and with credit to himself. 

He was mustered out with his regiment, August, 1865. 

He is now actively and lucratively engaged at Harriman, 
Tennessee. 




"S^ 



-7 



' J-B^ 




WESLEY BENSON, 
Servant of Major Dawes. See Page 285. 



WILLIAM STEEL, Drummer. 
See Page 294. 





iM T WD 




, 




. ■ 




* w t' i *^H 


SSSSi 


^^^^B^^^KBr^d. 




V ~ 




-r^ -■■ ^_ 




JAMES E. ELLISON, Co. C. 



WILLIAM A. ELLISON. 
See Page 287. 



r)8RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 285 



WKSLKY BKNSON. 



Wesley Benson was lx)rn in 1S44, in Roi)ertson County, Ten- 
nessee. He was a slave, was sold and taken to Paducah, Ken- 
tucky. Just a few^ days after the 53rd Ohio had reached Paducah 
he and three other colored boys were captured by the pickets of 
the 5ord, Isaac Pyles beincr considered the captor. Major Dawes, 
observing the squad, and particularly Benson, thought that this 
particular contraband was a sprightly, somewhat comely darkey, 
and would make a good, valuable servant. With permission from 
the superior officers, he was allowed to take charge of and care for 
W^slev. Tiie major remarked to the boy, " You behave yourself 
and be a man, and in me you will have a friend who in the end, 
come what may, will see you safely landed north of Mason and 
Dixon's line, insuring to yon freedom." The magic word of 
" freedom " caused the pupils of the optics of Wesley to dilate, 
and thev liave scarcely resumed their normal condition. The 
statement struck a responsive chord in Wesley's heart that has 
never ceased to vibrate, and to the end of time will give tone to 
the life of the honest, brave, and devoted man. Those perusing 
this volume will find Major Dawes referring to Wesley as a careful, 
capable nurse. Wesley was near by when Major Dawes received 
his severe and almost mortal facial wound. He cared for and ac- 
companied the major northward to his home at Marietta, Ohio. 



ROBERT H. BREWSTKR. 



Robert H. Brewster was born at Watertown, Jefferson County, 
N. Y., May :Ust, 1830. He enlisted in Co. I, 53rd O. V. I., Octo- 
ber 20th, 18()1. He served the major part of his time as commis- 
sary-sergeant. He incurred disabilities which incapacitated him 
for military service, and was discharged September 15th, 1862. 



286 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Up to this date he participated in all of the battles and campaigns of 
the regiment. Regaining his health dnring the year 1864, he again 
entered the servnce as a commissioned officer of the 140th Ohio 
National Guard. 

In the spring of 1890 an epidemic of smallpox prevailed at 
Pomeroy, Ohio, his home, and being a big-hearted, generous man 
he went to the assistance of some of his friends who were stricken, 
and contracted the dread disease, and died May 28th, ] 890, and 
was buried at night. 

Commissary-sergeant Brewster was one of the characters of 
the 5ord Ohio. 

In the years subseqnent to the war he was the probate judge 
of his county. He made friends and admirers among all of his ac- 
quaintances. His wit, good-humor, and good cheer were always 
highly appreciated in the camp and on the march. He was a 
good fellow, a pleasant comrade, and a brave soldier. 

" Sleep, soldier^ sleeps thy ivarfare o'er.^^ 
* * * ^ 

CALVIN D. BROOKS. 



Calvin D. Brooks, Lieutenant of Company D, lost his life the 
first year of the war from the effects of disease, incurred by the 
exposure incident to the campaign of Corinth. He was a brave 
man, and had all the characteristics of a good soldier. He was 
always ready to obey any order. He would not leave the front, 
although urged by his colonel to do so, after he was disabled and 
ought to have gone home, because he had recruited the men and 
thought he ought to stay with them. He unquestionably sacri- 
ficed his life to his devotion to his men and the cause of the 
Union. He would not leave the front until he was so far disabled 
that he never recovered. His memory will be kept green as long 
as one of his comrades lives. 



O.'^^RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 287 



gicorc;e w. camtt. 



Lieutenant George \V. Cavitt was born at Jackson, Ohio, 
November, 1S4(). 

He assisted in recruiting Company F. While he entered the 
service as a private, October IGth, 18(il, he was promoted to be 
Second Lieutenant January 1st, LS()2, and, for meritorious ser- 
vices and general efficiency, was again advanced to First Lieuten- 
ant, April 28th, LS62. 

He was experienced clerically in addition to his disciplinary 
qualifications, and, by reason of this, he was appointed Adjutant 
of the regiment May 22nd. 18G4. 

Lieutenant Cavitt was a bright, efficient officer, and his quick 
perception enabled him to acquire the drill of the soldier as well 
as the routine of the office of adjutant with great ease. He was 
genial and good-natured, and had the esteem of the men and 
officers of the regiment. In battle he was quick to perceive an 
advantage, courageous in executing an order. His services were 
of irreat value to his regiment and the country. His record is one 
that he and his friends may well take pride in. 



WILLIAM ELLISON. 



William Ellison was one of the best known men of the regi- 
ment from the fact that he was regimental postman. He was in- 
telligent, brave and efficient. If there was a package or a letter 
either at the division or corps headquarters he seemed to have the 
faculty of knowing it, and of being able to get it and deliver it to 
the proper party. If there were any newspapers within miles to be 
had Billy had them and was ready to sell them to any one. Sev- 
eral efforts were made to promote him to brigade and division 



288 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

headquarters as postman, but he steadfastly refused any and all 
promotions, owing to his loyalty to his regiment and his desire to 
be with the " boys " he loved and served. On the 14th of May, 
1802, at Resaca, Ga., while the Second Brigade of which the 53rd 
Ohio was a part, was making a splendid charge he unnecessarily 
exposed himself and met his fate by being instantly killed. His 
loss was mourned by the entire regiment. 



REV. FREDERICK J. GRIFFITH. 



At the outbreak of the Civil War the Rev. Mr. Griffith was 
an effective minister of the gospel and a member of the Ohio Con- 
ference, Methodist Episcopal church. Captain Griffith was not 
unlike the majority of the ministers and membership of the M. E. 
church in general, hence at the age of forty-one dropped his Bible 
and buckled on the sword and donned the blue and offered his 
services as a commander or chaplain, contending for God, home 
and country. The regiment being in need of a chaplain, Captain 
Griffith having so deported himself as to command the respect and 
confidence of all alike was again called to the ministry and duly 
commissioned as chaplain of the 53rd O. V. I. 

Not like some who had named the name of Christ prior to the 
rebellion, but had drifted out in to a life of sin in the army, he re- 
mained true to his obligitions, his God, and his country, and did 
effective work. His christian character, generosity, and good 
cheer endeared him to one and all. 

Mr. Griffith retired from the ministry some years ago and is 
at present a resident of the great state of Kansas, where through 
his kindness of heart he endorsed for another, and (the oft-told 
tale) is impoverished thereby ; yet, while poor in '' worldly goods " 
he is rich in that e'er long he will occupy "a house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens." 



r)3Rr> OHIO voi.untki-:r infantry. 289 



J. W. FULTON, Jr. 



J. W. Fulton, Jr., was a nephew of Onartermaster iMilton's, 
an^ enlisted with the o.-Jrd O. V.- I,., September 15th, l.SGl, from 
Guysville, Ohio, at the age of nineteen, as a private soldier. 

His proficiency was so noticeable that it was the subject of 
comment, and October 7th, FSfil, he was commissioned as First 
Lieutenant and assigned to Company 15. As an officer he had still 
further opportunities of displaying his qualifications and fighting 
qualities which was the occasion of a promotion to a captaincy, 
1^'ebruary loth, 18()2. He commanded Company G to September 
•JTth, ISGl, Captain Fulton was a courteous gentleman and an 
officer beloved by his command and respected by his fellow 
officers. 

Upon his return home to Guysville, Ohio, he soon conceived 
the idea of a removal to Illinois, making his home at Effingham. 
Not finding hotel-keeping to his liking, he returned to Ohio 
and engaged in merchandising for two years, when he sold 
out and engaged again in the hotel business. He was again struck 
w ith ihe western fever and removed to Savannah, Missouri, where 
he remained for a while, thence moving to Kansas, taking up his 
original profession, civil engineering. 

His present post-office address is Westmoreland, Kansas. 

i^ -:iJ -:;:- -^ 

DAVID S. HARKINS. 



Captain Harkins entered the service October 2oth, 1861. He 
recruited a good portion of Company I, and was commissioned as 
Captain, February 5th, 18C2. He remained with the command 
until April, 18(5;), when his resignation was accepted. Captain 
Harkins entered the service at quite an advanced age, (forty-two) 
but was a faithful officer and a good soldier, and had the confi- 



290 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

dence of his men to perhaps a larger degree than ahnost any com- 
mander in the resfiment. His record as a soldier and as a man 
was creditable to himself and his family. 

ii> m * * 

DAVID LASLEY. 



David Lasley was born near Kygerville, Gallia County, Ohio. 
He received his early education in his native county. At the age 
of eighteen, the Civil War was on, and his boyish patriotism 
pushed him forward as a volunteer, in response to one of the 
numerous calls of " Father Abraham." In casting about for a 
suitable regiment in which to enlist, he selected the 53rd Ohio, 
and Company H as the " boss" company with which he cared to 
share the privations and hardships of — as it afterwards proved to be 
— a long, arduous, and cruel war. 

His enlistment dates from November 2oth, 1861, as private, in 
which capacity he served until January, 1802, when he received the 
appointment of corporal. He remained a corporal until January 1st, 
1863, when he received the further promotion of first sergeant. 
Upon December 25th, 1865, for his meritorious conduct as a non- 
commissioned officer, he received the commission of second lieu- 
tenant, and was assigned to Co. F, April 26th, 1865, and with this 
company he remained until the final muster-out of August, 1865. 

Something like two years removed from the war period the 
veteran concluded he had looked after his own rations long 
enough, so he cast about for a suitable companion to cook what he 
would provide. The one he was most pleased to great as a sweet- 
heart — and she proved in subsequent years none the less sweet — 
was the accomplished and pretty Miss Rilla Mauck, of Cheshire, 
Gallia County, Ohio. To the home thus established there came 
two sons, A. B. and T. F. Lasley, to enliven and further bless the 
happy home of Lieutenant and Mrs. Lasley. 



O.'^RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 291 



The occupation of Lieutenant Lasley is and has been farmingr 
and operatin_2^ in live stock. Indications point to the fact that 
success has followed his every effort. May long life and continued 
success be theirs is the wish of the author. 



STAFFORD McMILLEN. 



Lieutenant Stafford IMcMillen was born in Trumbull County, 
Ohio. He enlisted at the age of twenty-five years at Union City, 
Indiana, at which place he was engaged in the produce business. 
He enlisted as a private, August "ilst, LSGl, and was promoted to 
first lieutenant February 28th, 1<S<)2, thus showing that he pos- 
sessed soldierly qualities, which enabled him to jump from a pri- 
vate soldier to the position of first lieutenant. January 18(54, he vet- 
eraned with his regiment. Throughout his service he displayed cour- 
age, manliness, courtesy and such soldiery qualities as endeared him 
to all with whom he came in contact. His record up to the date of 
his death was an honorable one, and his untimely decease was 
mourned by the entire regiment. 

Lieutenant McAIillen received what proved to be his death 
wound in that terrible slaughter of July 22nd, 18(j4. He sur- 
vived, however, until August 3rd, LSG4, when he answered the 
roll call of the Divine Commander. 

His remains lie buried in the United vStates Cemetery at Ma- 
rietta, Georgia. 

" And yet, wh)- weep 

For those that sleep 
In a loyal soldier's grave ? 

' Tis enough to know 

Their blood did flow 
For the cause of the good and brave." 



292 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



FRANK SMITH. 



Frank Smith, whose portrait is herewith given, was born on 
January, 1799, at Wheeling, W. Va. His parents moved to Zanes- 
ville, Ohio, in his early boyhood days. 

October 20th, 1820, he was married to Malinda McFarlin, to 
which union were born ten children, only three of whom survive 
at this time. 

He enlisted at Jackson, Ohio, October 29th, 1861. His first 
engagement was at Shiloh, April Gth, and he was the first man 
killed of the 53rd Ohio ; and, no doubt, was the second man killed 
in that memorable battle ; the orderly of General Sherman being 
the first. This was early in the morning, when General Sherman 
and a part of his staff rode up to the front line of the Oord Ohio to 
see if he was surprised, and his exclamation clearly indicated that 
he was. 

The body of Frank Smith and John Rose, both of Company 
F, 53rd Ohio, were found pierced by bullets near Shiloh Springs. 
Major J. C. Foster, Sergeant of Company F, thinks he was the last 
man living to speak to Frank Smith. He relates that vSmith and 
Rose were on picket guard, and when it was evident our line was 
breaking, while upon their official duties, he passed Smith. on his 
way and urged him to leave his post. He replied by saying, " The 
rebels could never drive our men back." 

The G. A. R. Post at Jackson, Ohio, is named in honor of 
him. 

m * * •;& 

OUARTER-MASTER MORRISON. 



One among the deaths that was mourned soon after the regi- 
ment veteraned was that of our Quarter-Master, Lieutenant E. G. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 2iK3 

Morrison. He died April 2oth, 18()4, at vScottsboro, Alabama. He 
was a laro-e-hearted, genial friend, and an efficient officer. When 
told that he had but a few honrs to live he thanked the one who 
told him, gave a few directions abont his personal affairs, left a 
message for his danghter, and asked that he might not "■ be bnried 
in that nnchristian conntry." He then qnietly composed him.self, 
resigned to meet his fate, and died like the hero he was. 

It is needless to add that his last request w^as heeded, and his 
mortal remains have sunken back into mother earth in the Com- 
monwealth of the State he loved, Ohio. 

* * Hi i& 

WILLIAM BLACKFORD STEPHENSON. 



William Blackford Stephenson was born at Wheeling, Vir- 
ginia, December 17th, 1S40. While he was a child his family 
removed to Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1858 he entered the freshman 
class at Marietta College, and continued with the class until the 
close of the first term of the junior year. It was probably his in- 
tention to return and be graduated, but the stirring events of the 
winter of 18G1 were not calculated to inspire a young man with 
ambition for a scholastic life. When the call was made for troops, 
in ISin, he began to think of enlisting, and in the fall of 18(51 
was among the number who enlisted with the Oord Ohio. 

He was appointed sergeant-major, and performed his duty so 
well that when the first vacancy occurred, February, 18(5:], he was 
promoted to the position of adjutant. 

He died of congestion of the brain at Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug- 
ust 1st, 1879. 

Adjutant Stephenson was a brave, efficient officer. As adju- 
tant of the regiment he kept its records in splendid condition, and 
was of great service to the commanding officers, always being 



294 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

ready with suggestions and, in cases of emergency, when informa- 
tion was sought of the adjutant. He was a faithful officer and 
well deserved the esteem in which he was held by the men of the 
regiment. 

-;& * * J}:- 

WILLIAM SHAY. 



Lieutenant William Shay was born at Marietta, Ohio, but at 
the outbreak of the Civil War was serving upon the police force at 
Cincinnati, Ohio. He recruited some thirty men and joined his 
future with Company K. At the organization of the company, 
October 5th, 1S61, he was chosen Second Lieutenant. He was 
then thirty-nine years of age. He was a brave, efficient officer, 
and rendered yeoman service until January 22nd, 1SG3, when, by 
reason of disabilities, he resigned, returning to his former home, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, and in time was again upon the police force. 

Some years later he died — particulars and date unknown. 

" But the dead are not forgotten. 
Nor shall their memory die." 

$• ST ^ iif 

W. A. STEELE. 



W. A. Steele, the drummer-boy, enlisted at the age of fifteen 
as a drummer-boy, with Lieutenant Crumit of Co. F, (afterwards 
captain of Co. D.) In a few months he was transferred to Co. I, 
and remained with them until discharged from the service. 

W. A. Steele claims the distinction of having beat the first 
long roll at the battle of Shiloh, April Gth, 18(31, and that his in- 
structions were received personally from Colonel Appier. He al- 
so insists that he is the drummer-boy who has been so effectively 



o:'RD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 295 



poetized. This distinction, however, is claimed by others and re- 
sembles somewhat the mooted question as to '' who struck Billy 
Patterson ?" During the first day's fight at vShiloh he was struck 
a glancing shot upon the left side of head and ear, which 
rendered him unconscious. He was subsequently discharged. Af- 
ter regaining his health he donned the blue as a drum major and 
served three years. He was perhaps the most youthful boy drum- 
mer bov of the loth Corps. 



CAPTAIN JOHN I. PARR ILL. 



The early history of Captain Parrill has not been furnished, 
hence it will be necessary to pass it by. 

He recruited for the most part Company B, of the 5;kd Ohio, 
and at its organization was chosen Captain. The men composing 
the company did not underestimate the Captain. He was an edu- 
cated gentleman, watchful of every interest of those who reposed 
confidence in him. He appreciated a good soldier and a duty well 
performed. He was a good disciplinarian and drill-master. His 
bravery in battle was of the stamp that elicited commendation. 
He had command of the Division Pioneer Corps for some months 
and did effective service, receiving commendation from General 
Sherman for the efficiency of his corps from Atlanta to the sea. 
He was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel, January 4th, LSlio. 

A good portion of his subsequent years has been spent in en- 
tertaining the general public as a landlord. His present post- 
office address is Matewan, W. Va. 



296 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



LIST OF THE HONORED DEAD 

Of the Fifty-Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Whose Mortal Remains Lie Buried in the 
National Cemeteries, as Enumerated Below. 



MARIETTA, GEORGIA. 



Names. 


Co. 

H 
D 
G 
K 
A 
K 
K 
E 
H 
G 
F 
F 
C 
H 
F 
C 
D 
C 
G 
D 


Date of Death. 


Names. 


Co. 

D 
K 
D 

F 
C 
C 
G 
D 
K 
C 
D 
A 
B 
D 
D 
B 
A 
F 
E 
G 


Date of Death. 


Armstrong, D. G 


June 22, 
June 27, 
May 20, 
June 27, 
July 28, 
Aug. 10, 
Aug. 18, 
June 23, 
Aug. 1, 
June 27, 
Sept. 10, 
July 22, 
June 27, 
June 27, 
June 20, 
July 3, 
Aug. 9, 
June 27, 
Aug. 23, 
June 1, 


1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1861. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 
1864. 


Lockard, John 


July 6, 
Aug. 3, 
Sept. 10, 
Aug. 18, 
June 27, 
July 15, 
July 6, 
■ June 17, 
June 27, 
June 27, 
Sept. 9, 
Nov. 16, 
July 5, 
Aug. 3, 
June 27, 
Sept. 10, 
Aug. 12, 
Aug. 26, 
Aug. 23, 
Oct. 27, 


1864. 


McMillan, Lieu't S.. 
Olim, W 


1864. 


Beesley, George 

"Rprtrprt, »Tollll 


1864. 


Percy, Capt. Jas. R.. 
Proctor, W 


1864. 


Vi rr\ w n O IVF 


1864. 




Redmon, Simon G... 
Rogers, John 


1864. 


"Rnrn*! .TollTl 


1864. 


pQivprt, n W 


Russell, C. R 


1864. 




Smith, Barney 


1864. 




Smith, M.J 

Stephenson, Smith.. 
Stoner, W. K 


1864. 




1864. 




1864. 


Ti'rirrl R W 


Sunderland, C 


1864. 


Fox, C. C 


Sweeney, Hugh 

Tilley, J '. 


1864. 


"Prjinlrlin ^V 


1864. 


French, Joseph 

Garrett, Joseph 

GiflFord B F 


Waters. J 


1864. 


Waldron, W . . . 


1864. 


Williams, J 


1864. 




Wise, Mike 


1864. 


T.inefntt "R. "R 


West. T. D 


1864. 









CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. 



Names. 


Co. 

A 
C 
A 
A 
B 
F 


Date of Death. 


Names. 


Co. 

K 
B 

I 
G 


Date of Death. 




May 7, 1864. 
May 14, 1864. 
April 11, 1864. 
May 14, 1864. 
April 17, 1864. 
April 23, 1864. 


McKibbon, W 


April 19, 1864. 


F.llisnn W. A 


Townsend, John S... 
Turner, Wm. S 


June 23, 1864. 


df^iiw Opnre'P 


May 1, 1864. 


Halem C. 


Thompson, R. W 

Weaver, John 


Nov. 1, 1864. 




Jan. 28, 1865. 


Kirkpatrick, D. E... 







EPILOGUE 

ON 

PATRIOTIC WOMANHOOD. 

DEDICATED TO 

THE AUTHOR'S MOTHER. 




THE AUTHOR'S MOTHER. 
See Page 302. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 299 



PATRIOTIC WOMANHOOD. 



As a finale to this Regimental History, it is the anthor's de- 
sire to pay a tribute to the patriotic women of America, and, in so 
doing, to place a wreath of immortelles at the shrine of one whose 
blood courses through his veins, and to whose precepts and virtue 
he is indebted for whatever he is or ever expects to be. 

" Woman — with that word, 
Life's dearest hopes and memories come ; 
Truth, beauty, love, in her adored. 
And earth's lost Paradise restored 
In the grreen bower of home." 

The largest indebtedness of our Republic is to American 
purity, American civilization, American patriotism, and heaven- 
born Christianity, as they have ever been displayed by American 
women. 

All honor to American womanhood ! 

He who scans the horizon of the future cannot fail to see the 
important part that patriotic American womanhood will occupy. 

Women are not what some term creatures of circumstance, for 
in all ages and in all countries, even where she has not always 
been held in the highest esteem, as in our beloved country, woman, 
guided by the inscrutable hand, has been the power to create, 
mold, and exalt the sensibilities of man and encourage them to 
nobler deeds, larger motives, consecrated lives and greater love of 
home, country and God. The ascendency of womanhood is 
acknowledged, and while her foot may be rocking the cradle she 
is shaping the destiny of nations. There is no denying the fact 
that American homes, presided over and wisely directed by 
patriotic American womanhood, are the safe-guard of the Republic. 



SCO HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

Who will not cheerfully accord to Mrs. John A. Logan the 
guiding hand, the intelligent mind, the influence in molding, in- 
spiring, and, with her animating words of wisdom, leading the 
fearless and gallant volunteer, General Logan, in the exercise of 
his best efforts, whether in the forum or on the field of battle? 
Those who served in the national halls of legislation prior and sub- 
sequent to the Civil War can best attest the influence of this 
matronly woman of wisdom in her influence with those of high 
authority in the passage of important measures affecting the then 
present and future welfare of the nation. 

At the request of General Washington, one hundred and 
twenty-four years ago, the widow, Betsy Ross, at her little home 
at No. 239 Arch street, Philadelphia, made the first American flag. 
She sewed only thirteen stars on the flag which was flung to the 
breeze by the Continental Armies. Now there are forty-five, but 
the stripes representing the thirteen original States will ever re- 
main the same. From this humble pattern millions of duplicates 
have been made which are honored and respected wherever they 
flutter as the beacon light of " Liberty enlightening the world." 
" Old Glory " is recognized the world over, and never fails ta thrill 
the observer who knows the story of its origin, from its first un- 
furling at old Fort Schuyler, August 3rd, 1777. 

Mrs. Mary A. Bickerdyke, she who was considered the only 
" Mother Bickerdyke," is one of noble fame with all the ex- 
soldiery of the country. 

Mrs. Eliza C. Porter immortalized herself, and it is only a 
matter of regret that details cannot be given. At the close of the 
war, when Sherman's grizzled veterans filed into Washington City, 
wearied, worn and sick, it was she who ministered to their wants. 

Mrs. Clara H. Barton was another of the modest, unassuming 
women of this time ; but was the embodiment of honor, virtue and 
fortitude. 



1 




MRS. AMANDA PURSELL. 

See Page 301. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 301 



Another of God's noble women, who but recently passed 
away, was Mrs. Anna Wittenmeyer. She was the guardian angel 
of the Army of the Tennessee. Many months of her service was 
with this army. She, however, responded to the call of duty 
elsewhere. 

Mrs. Mary A. Livermore was another of the noble products of 
the Rebellion. 

Mrs. Francis D. Gage was one of early pioneer ancestry, and 
who did yeoman service in behalt of the sick and wounded. 

Another of the grand characters was Anna Etheridge, who at 
the battle of Chancellorsville rode to the front line of the skir- 
mishers and called to them : " Boys, do your duty and whip the 
rebels." 

Hundreds of other instances could be mentioned did space 
permit, though it seems somewhat invidious to mention some and 
not all. 

At the beginning of the Civil War there resided in the city of 
Portsmouth, a devoted mother, a Christian woman — one whose 
patriotism was of the highest order. In a few days after the de- 
parture of Company G, the first Ohio troops to answer the call of 
President Lincoln for volunteers, this lady of wealth and influence 
organized the first Aid Society in the State and began making 
comforts, clothing, lint, etc., for those who she felt would need 
such assistance. Soon after the first engagement the remains of 
the boys were sent home for burial, and she and her co-workers 
were instrumental in having public funerals, such as had never 
been witnessed in Southern Ohio. Soon thereafter this same lady 
and some thirty other mothers adjourned to Greenlawn Cemetery 
and held a memorial service, decorating the graves of the fallen 
heroes". This occurred as early as 1862. This womanly organiza- 
tion has honored the dead and themselves, by each year strewing 
Bowers upon the three hundred graves at Greenlawn Cemetery, 
until now there are only five or six of them left to impress upon 



302 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



the youth of the land the lesson of patriotism and of commem- 
orating the memories of the heroic dead. This lady may be justly 
regarded as the originator of our beautiful Decoration Day exer- 
cises. Later on she organized the Monumental Society, and was 
largely instrumental in the erection of the Soldiers' Monument at 
at Tracy Park. Still later, realizing that the country's need was 
men, and, being a widow with no sons of suitable age, she had her 
agent hire a substitute, paying $800 therefor, and sent him in 
answer to one of the calls for volunteers. 

This saintly matron, charitable Christian, and the embodi- 
ment of patriotism, Mrs. Amanda Pursell, passed to her final re- 
ward but a few years ago. 

" Greatness of mind, and nobleness, their seat 
In her build loveliest." 
While much has been written in behalf of patriotic woman- 
hood, and volumes could be added in regard to those whose splen- 
did services were such as met the public eye, it would be hardly 
fair to omit all mention of those situated in life as was the mother 
of the author. It was not within the province of all to become 
nurses or officers of the various auxiliary societies having their 
birth during the war period. Yet, in thousands of the humble 
homes of America there presided over the destiny of those homes 
motherhood just as devoted, loyal and patriotic as that of any of 
those whose names are blazoned upon the pages of history. A 
devoted and loving mother, fresh from the altar of prayer bedewed 
by a mother's tears, who attaches her signature, giving consent for 
her only son, and he a minor, to go forth to battle in defense of 
country and flag, is a noble example, calculated to excite to greater 
deed of heroism and patriotism, and needs no encomiums from the 
only surviving member of her family. A widowed mother who 
bade good-bye to her boy and saw him leave home for the field of 
carnage where sickness, terrible wounds, and horrible death were 
almost a certainty, sacrificed in that one act all but life — for she 
relinquished, as she expressed it, her " only hope, save life eternal." 




SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-Referred to on Page 302. 



53rd OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 303 



The memory of such a woman should be written higli upon the 
scroll of a Nation's fame as a guiding star of the hopes of the Re- 
pu])lic, and an inspiration to devotion and consecrated American 
homes. As that devoted mother stood upon the porch beneath the 
old roof-tree, where she had spent her all-too-brief married and 
widowed life, her right hand tightly grasping my own, her left 
arm entwined about my neck, with tears coursing down her fur- 
rowed cheek, she gave the prayerful, and, as she feared, the final 
farewell in the following words : " My boy, my only boy ; go, if 
you must at your country's call ; but at all times, under all circum- 
stances, remember mother and sisters are at home praving for you 
and the success of the cause for which you will battle. All I ask 
is that you be a man, act the man, and never bring disgrace upon 
yourself, your mother, your country, or your flag." 

" O glorious trial of exceeding love. 
Illustrious evidence, example high." 

The record of such a mother God keeps. It is too sacred to 
be trusted to men. 

" A mother's love ! 
If there be one thing pure, 

Where all beside is sullied ; 
That can endure 

When all else pass away : 
If there be ginght 

Surpassing human deed, or word, or thought. 
It is a mother's love ! " 




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